New Delhi: Irked by government's rejection of a JPC probe in 2G spectrum allocation, BJP on Monday said there would be no compromise until a panel was formed to probe the 2G spectrum, Adarsh Housing Society and CWG scams.
"We demand a JPC probe into the three scams. We stand by it. There will be no compromise till the JPC is formed," deputy leader of the Bharatitya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajya Sabha, S.S. Ahluwalia told the reporters.
His remarks came after the centre rejected the opposition's demand for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum allocation issue saying it was ‘meaningless’.
He said the executive committee of the BJP Parliamentary party met this morning followed by a meeting of NDA leaders, where it was decided that the opposition would continue to press for setting up of a JPC. "Besides the NDA, some other opposition parties are demanding a JPC. This demand is now coming from four corners. Now everyone (all opposition parties) is demanding it," Ahluwalia claimed.
On whether Parliament will not be allowed to function till their demands are met, he said, "Running the House is the government's task. Our responsibility is to help it. We will not extend our help till our demands are met."
Asked if by demanding a JPC probe, the BJP was showing its lack of confidence in senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who heads the Public Accounts Committee, Ahluwalia said the PAC is meant for ‘post-mortem of CAG report. It does not probe. The JPC on the other hand has its own terms of reference. It has the mandate of the House, on which it works.’
Ahluwalia wondered whether the issue of BJP lacking confidence in Joshi was being raked up by the ruling party to divide the opposition. He said a JPC was formed into the Bofors scam, though there was a CAG report on the issue and added, "NDA had formed a JPC on Pepsi cola and had made present Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar its chairperson."
When reminded that there was no JPC probe into the Tehelka sting operation, in which former BJP president Bangaru Laxman was allegedly involved, Ahluwalia said, "Tehelka was a sting operation and government rules were not bent to favour anyone."
To a question on DMK's reported demand that JPC should probe issuance of 2G spectrum licences since 1999, the BJP leader said the party would support such a move.
About the land-related controversy allegedly involving Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yedurappa's son, he said, "There is no authentic report against Yeddyurappa and the Lok Pal in the state is competent to carry out an authentic probe. Those found guilty will not be spared." PTI