Govt still against JPC probe

No one wants a repeat of Parliament's Winter session — the scenes of the Houses being adjourned repeatedly and virtually no business being transacted for 23 days.

No one wants a repeat of Parliament's Winter session — the scenes of the Houses being adjourned repeatedly and virtually no business being transacted for 23 days.

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But, on the eve of finance minister Pranab Mukherjee's meeting with the leaders of political parties to ‘save' the budget session from February 21, there was little to show a forward movement.

The question of a JPC into the 2G spectrum scam plagued both the sides. While the opposition parties — the NDA and the Left — were expecting Mukherjee to come with a new proposal, the Congress remained firm on its 'no JPC' stand.

Instead, it appeared to be trying to divide the Opposition and get a section of it to help it run Parliament. Congress sources indicated that first few days of the session would be crucial and the Opposition unity will be a key factor in determining the future course of action.

As the Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar completed a third round of talks — with independent MPs and one man parties — Mukherjee rejected the JPC demand once again.

The speaker said, "Their (MPs') attitude was a very positive. I am very happy and believe that the House will run on February 21 (when the budget session starts)," she said.

Asked whether putting a motion to vote or discussion was an option or a suggestion, the Speaker said, "putting it to vote I have not heard of, but debate I have heard of." CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said arrest of A Raja and findings of the Shivraj Patil Committee have reinforced the JPC demand.