BJP Wednesday remained firm onits demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation onthe coal allocation issue and insisted that the only way toend the present impasse in Parliament is for him takeresponsibility for the Rs 1.86 lakh crore loss suggested byCAG.
Drawing a comparison between the 2G spectrum allocationscam and the Coal allocation controversy, Leader of Oppositionin Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley told reporters that while in theformer, Singh was politically and "vicariously" responsible,in the latter he is directly involved.
"The only way to break the deadlock in Parliament isif the Prime Minister takes responsibility (for the coal scam)and acts accordingly," Jaitley said.
The BJP leader maintained that Singh was directlycomplicit in the coal allocation case- in which the CAG hassaid there was an estimated loss of Rs 1.86 Lakh crore- as heheld the Coal Ministry portfolio for five of the last eightyears of UPA rule.
"There is no way that he can escape responsibilityfor this monumental loss," Jaitley said.
BJP contended that the decision to go for auction of coalblocks was taken in 2004 but it has not been implemented tillnow though eight years have passed.
It has refuted the Centre's contention that this delaywas caused as some of the states were opposed to auction,saying Coal comes under the Centre List and states have nosay.
The main Opposition has alleged this delay has helpedsome companies make "windfall gains" in these years.