No JPC and no rift with allies: Cong

As voices within the party and allies emerged in support of the opposition’s demand for a JPC probe into the 2G-spectrum allocation, the Congress stood firm on its stand that the panel was not required.

As voices within the party and allies emerged in support of the opposition’s demand for a JPC probe into the 2G-spectrum allocation, the Congress stood firm on its stand that the panel was not required.

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The Congress’s three main allies — Trinamool Congress, NCP and DMK — have privately maintained there was “nothing wrong” in ordering a JPC. But, publicly they are fully backing the government.

“No JPC. UPA is united on the issue and there is no rethink,” said NCP boss Sharad Pawar after his meeting with finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday night.

The two leaders discussed the national advisory council’s recommendations on the food security on which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold a meeting on Tuesday.

But sources in the Trinamool and DMK indicated that the government would concede a JPC to allow the functioning of Parliament.

The government, however, denied any pressure from allies. “We are under no pressure from anyone. But then we keep on discussing things. It is a dynamic process. As of now there is no JPC,” parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said.