Hitting out at the Opposition for stalling proceedings in Parliament over Quattrocchi, Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the government was ready for a discussion on it.
Updated at 3: 05 pm
NEW DELHI: Hitting out at the Opposition for stalling proceedings in Parliament over the Quattrocchi issue, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the government had done nothing wrong and was ready for a discussion on it.
"I solemnly affirm that this government has done nothing wrong," he said in Parliament House when asked about Opposition charges of deliberate delay and concealment by the government of Italian businessman's detention in Argentina for 17 days.
Dismissing BJP's allegation that the CBI was pressurized by the government, he said the investigating agency had been allowed to function independently and with fullest autonomy.
"We are ready for discussions on every issue whether the Quattrocchi issue or the price rise," he said adding all these issues should be debated in Parliament.
NEW DELHI: Buoyed by its electoral gains in Punjab and Uttrakhand, the BJP on Monday stepped up its attack on the ruling Congress over the Bofors scandal and asked for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation on the Quattrocchi issue.
"The Prime Minister owes an explanation to the nation as to why his government concealed the detention of Quattrocchi in Argentina for so many days. It's an insult to democracy. We will seek his resignation in the House," Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Vijay Kumar Malhotra said after a meeting of the BJP's parliamentary party.
The NDA, which met immediately after the BJP's meeting, also endorsed the party's stand.
"The Prime Minister has to respond to what we ask," senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh said when asked what strategy the Opposition alliance decided to adopt at its meeting.
In his comments, NDA convenor George Fernandes said the Opposition would seek an opportunity to raise its objections over the Quattrocchi issue.
"Yes," he remarked when asked whether the NDA too would seek the Prime Minister's resignation.
The BJP has rejected the government's statement that India has no extradition treaty with Argentina, saying such a pact existed before Independence.
The BJP has also sought suspension of the Question Hour.
As the protest continued, the Speaker made it clear that he would not allow suspension of the Question Hour for other issues to be taken up.
At one stage, BJP deputy leader VK Malhotra was seen indicating to the Speaker that Leader of the Opposition LK Advani would like to speak on the issue.
Malhotra was also seen gesturing to his party colleagues to calm down to enable Advani to raise the issue.
Amid noisy scenes in which leaders from Left parties sought to raise their points, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.
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