
NEW DELHI: “No JPC, no session.” This was the unanimous voice of the Opposition at the all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. With the Government too sticking to its ‘no JPC’ stand, the Parliament impasse is set to continue.
The Speaker, however, was not disheartened. “I am not disappointed, efforts will continue to break the logjam,” she said.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said all Opposition parties wanted a JPC to inquire into the 2G spectrum scam. They rejected the Government’s proposal of a CBI probe monitored by the Supreme Court, saying a JPC would be more effective as it can call for any file and also summon ministers and bureaucrats.
At the All-Party Meeting, when the Opposition asked the government why it was not budging from its stand, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah said, even on earlier occasions, JPCs had failed to produce any results. “If this is the case, then we should remove JPC from the rule book,” said Sushma.
The request of the Speaker that the Opposition at least allow Question Hour to be conducted was also rejected.