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Journalism of Courage
As the battle of nerves raged between the Centre and the Opposition over the latter8217;s decision to boycott parliamentary committees, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today ruled out the possibility of the Government withdrawing the statement of Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee against the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Efforts for a reconciliation envisaged withdrawal of Mukherjee8217;s statement by the Government and a similar withdrawal of remarks made by BJP deputy leader V.K. Malhotra against the Speaker.
Azad said: 8216;8216;If we withdraw it, then it will mean that the way the Speaker or the Chairman was insulted, was right.8217;8217; 8216;8216;No parliamentary impasse can be settled outside Parliament,8217;8217; he added.
Azad, when asked if he was holding talks with Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani for resolving the issue, shot back: 8216;8216;There is no outstanding issue. What is there to resolve?8217;8217; He pointed out that there was only one demand from the Opposition 8212; the resignation of Coal Minister Shibu Soren. 8216;8216;This demand has been already met,8217;8217; he said.
In reply to a question, Azad said the Centre had submitted its list of members to be included in standing panels to presiding officers. When a reporter sought to know if the Government would suggest to the Speaker to form committees without the Opposition, Azad said: 8216;8216;We would never suggest it. We do not want to go alone in committees.8217;8217; On the other hand, the NDA stuck to its guns. BJP parliamentary party spokesperson Sushma Swaraj declared after a meeting chaired by Advani that its boycott of parliamentary panels will continue unless the government amended Mukherjee8217;s statement.
Swaraj said: 8216;8216;The statement is insulting. In Lok Sabha, Mukherjee is Leader of the House, not of the Congress. He has to take everyone along. The ball is now in the Government8217;s court. Till the Government ends its confrontationist attitude and amends the statement made by Mukherjee, our boycott will continue.8217;8217;
