Opposition chorus on JPC probe shifts from Centre to states

The opposition’s demand for a joint parliamentary committee to probe the Rs1.76 lakh crore 2-G spectrum scam is set to go national. The top leadership of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has decided to take up the issue of Congress’ disrespect to the opposition through a sustained campaign by its state units.

In Maharashtra, leader of the opposition Eknath Khadse and state BJP chief Sudhir Mungantiwar are gearing up for a campaign against Congress’ arrogance in Mumbai and the rest of the state from next week. Sensing the pulse of the people, the BJP reckons that large scale corruption has jolted the aam aadmi.

Senior BJP leader Madhav Bhandari said, “The Congress is reeling under the arrogance of power. Their conduct in the parliament shows absolute disrespect towards the opposition and the parliamentary system.”

While the party has decided to keep the heat on the ruling UPA with senior leader LK Advani taking the centre stage in Delhi, the rank and file is being geared up for the bigger battle ahead in the coming months.

A senior BJP leader said, “Whether in the Centre or the states, there is complete apathy towards the opposition. I wonder how the Centre is going to pass the 2011 budget in February without BJP’s support.”

What has irked the opposition is Congress high command Sonia Gandhi’s attitude towards the opposition, to whom she said: “Who are they to question us on corruption.”

According to Shiv Sena MP Bharat Kumar Raut, “The ruling Congress cannot hold the parliamentary system hostage. If the voice of the opposition silenced by ruling parties’ arrogance, how will the democratic system survive. I wonder why the Congress is so determined in not accepting a JPC probe if it has nothing to hide.”

Senior Congress leader Anant Gadgil argues, “It is not necessary that truth will come out of a JCP probe. Often, it becomes a handle for the opposition to make wild allegations and ask embarrassing questions to members who are summoned before the committee.”

Gadgil feels, “Our parliament is based on the British system which has concluded against JPC probes. Instead, they have advocated the Tribunal Inquiry Act under which a experienced senior judge heads the probe.”

Gadgil states, “In Britain between 1911 and 1964 there were ten demands for a JPC. But they realised the JPC was politically misused. And it did not serve the real purpose of unearthing the real facts.”

“My father Vithalrao Gadgil was a member of the JPC constituted for Bofors. But even after a lot of probing, the high powered committee couldn’t procure all the documents from abroad. There were limitations to ascertain the facts. But the opposition was happy as it helped them bash the Congress everyday.”