New Delhi, July 22 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed an uproar over the controversy about BJP leaders’ links with former IPL chief Lalit Modi and the Vyapam recruitment scam as the opposition demanded the resignation of the leaders involved.
On the second day of parliament’s monsoon session, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) sought permission to speak on the Lalit Modi and Vyapam issues.
Leader of House Arun Jaitley said the debate should be taken up immediately.
“If the opposition wants to change the rules and discuss state issues we are ready. We will raise all state issues ranging from what is happening in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Goa will also be discussed,” said Jaitley.
As din continued, the house was adjourned for 15 minutes.
When the house met again, BSP leader Mayawati accused External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje of helping Lalit Modi.
“But the centre is not ready to take action against both these women…” she said.
Mayawati added: “Vyapam is not a state issue, it is a national issue”.
Jaitley then raised a point of order against raising state issues, however, Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury said people have died outside Madhya Pradesh in Vyapam scam so it is not a state issue.
“The job of parliament is to make government accountable. Discussion is not a substitute to investigation. Till a investigation is ordered and concerned people step down there can’t be discussion,” said Yechury.
To this Jaitley questioned which provision of law has Sushma Swaraj broken that an investigation should be ordered.
“May I ask which provision of law has the external affairs minister violated that an investigation can be ordered?” said Jaitley.
With ruckus continuing, Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien adjourned house till 12 noon.
The scene remained the same when the house resumed for question hour and Chairman M. Hamid Ansari adjourned the proceedings for another half-an-hour.