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Volcker issue rocks Parliament
RS was thrown into turmoil over the Pathak report 'leakage' as Oppn stalled proceedings. Natwar made a scapegoat?
Seizing the chance to turn the table on the ruling Congress, a belligerent BJP today led the Opposition onslaught in Parliament over the "leakage" of the Pathak panel report and launched an attack levelling corruption charges against Sonia Gandhi.
Being at the receiving end for the past week over the 'mole' issue, the BJP was on the offensive to pin down the Government both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The surcharged members from BJP stormed the well raising slogans against Gandhi. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day shortly after noon following uproarious scenes.
In Lok Sabha, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee allowed an impromptu discussion after Opposition members attacked the Government over the "leakage" of the report ahead of its tabling in Parliament.
The response by Parliamentary Affairs Minister PR Dasmunsi that Government has not leaked the report only drew vociferous protests from the Opposition benches. The BJP members marched to the well and promptly the Speaker adjourned the House till 1500 hours.
The Pathak Inquiry Authority in its report submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday indicted Natwar Singh and his son Jagat for "misusing" their position for procurement of contracts in the UN Oil-for-Food programme in Iraq but gave a clean chit to the Congress.
The BJP and other Opposition members have strongly contended that the Congress party, which has been named along with Natwar Singh as a non-contractual beneficiary, could not be let off the hook without strictures.
