Despite trying to corner the UPA over the missing coal files, the BJP on Wednesday had to face uncomfortable moments in Parliament over jailed encounter cop D G Vanzara’s resignation letter targeting Narendra Modi.
When CPM member Sitaram Yechury demanded that Vanzara’s “damaging letter” be discussed in the Rajya Sabha, BJP shouted that “a state issue” couldn’t be discussed in Parliament.
The Left members’ demand for a discussion on Vanzara’s letter found support from SP and JD(U) members. The JD(U)’s Shabbir Ali came to the Well of the House, waving a copy of the letter, while the SP’s Naresh Agarwal said the BJP couldn’t stop the House from taking up the matter.
However, the treasury benches remained silent, looking amused as the BJP, for a change, was facing the brunt of shouting. Yet, some Congress members did show placards stating “Chief Minister of Gujarat Must Resign” when the House assembled in the morning. The BJP tried to blunt the attack by raising the issue of coal files.
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien tried to persuade the members to return to their seats but the Upper House had to be adjourned multiple times to restore calm.
In the Lok Sabha, Congress members displayed placards seeking Modi’s resignation. Vanzara, who has been in jail since 2007 over the fake encounters of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, Kausarbi and Tulsiram Prajapati, sent the letter saying the state government had failed to protect the “loyal soldiers” who acted under its “direct instructions”. He is facing charges in the encounter cases of Ishrat Jahan and Sadiq Jamal as well.