Chidambaram must quit: Opposition in Parliament

Two days after a compromise on the FDI in retail, the UPA government was once again driven to the wall in the parliament on the opposition demand for resignation of the Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram for his alleged role in the 2G scam.

 

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned repeatedly today as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) stalled proceedings demanding the resignation of Home Minister P. Chidambaram for his alleged role in the 2G scam.

 

A dismissive government says there is no question of a resignation.

 

The Houses were initially adjourned till 12 pm and then till 2 pm. They re-convened at 2 pm to begin a crucial discussion on price rise, the NDA is allowing the House to function for the debate but has made it clear that it's only so that the House can discuss food inflation.

 

As part of her speech on price rise, the BJP's Sushma Swaraj maintained that Chidambaram is as guilty as Raja in the 2G case. So we want the PM to accept his resignation as well. The PM did not do so. Today Pranabda called me in the afternoon and I assured him that our opposition would continue, but we will talk about this issue." 

 

Before the Winter Session began, the NDA had announced that it would boycott Mr Chidambaram in Parliament over his alleged role in the 2008 2G scam during his tenure as Finance Minister. Today, they picked as context a Delhi court order of this morning that allowed Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy to testify and present his case against the Home Minister in the 2G scam case. 

 

But the government is clear that Mr Chidambaram will not resign. Till now the Parliament has seen just one day of business being transacted, yesterday, in this Winter Session, which has all of 10 working days left. The first two weeks were lost to the Opposition demanding adjournment motions and vote first on price rise and black money, and then stalling Parliament all of last week over the government's decision to allow foreign direct investment in retail. That logjam ended with the government agreeing to suspend its reforms move.