PM accuses BJP of hurting investors’ sentiments

 

• Singh accuses Oppn of hurting investors’ sentiments by frequent disruption

 

New Delhi, 30 Aug 2013, (DHNS): A visibly upset Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday used his reply on the current economic crisis in the country to attack the Opposition BJP, accusing them of hurting investors’ sentiments by repeatedly disrupting Parliament.

 

The prime minister’s unexpected attack on Opposition parties in Rajya Sabha virtually triggered a war of words between the treasury benches and principle opposition parties.

 

Amidst potshots between ruling and opposition parties’ members, Singh asked the Chair, “Have you heard of any country where the prime minister is not allowed to introduce his council of ministers? ...Have you heard of Parliament in any country where the opposition shouts ’Prime Minister …. hai’? The type of things that have been said here....”

 

Later, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley shot back, saying, “Have you heard of any country where the prime minister has won the vote of confidence by ...... ...,” triggering uproar. Some words used by the prime minister and Jaitley were later expunged.

 

The reference was to the July 2008 trust vote sought by the Prime Minister in the wake of Left parties withdrawing support on the Indo-US nuclear deal issue.

 

After facing a barrage of criticism from opposition parties for failure to contain the falling of the rupee and rising inflation, the prime minister took the Opposition head-on by saying that smooth functioning of Parliament is not only the responsibility of the government but also of members from the other side.

 

“Building of consensus is both the responsibility of the government and the opposition. I wish the conduct of the opposition party was consistent while letting the ruling party govern,” he said, responding to clarifications on his statement on the sliding rupee.

 

While the BJP attacked the prime minister for criticising opposition parties instead of replying on economic issues, Congress members gave thumbs-ups to Singh’s speech.

 

Attacking the BJP for continuously “opposing and criticising” the government, he said, “If the record of the last nine years is looked at, the principal opposition has never reconciled to the fact that it was voted out of power nine years ago.”

 

As the prime minister continued his attack against principal opposition parties, the BJP too started raising the coal and 2G scams, pointing the finger at his failure. This not only led to repeated disruptions and din in the House, but also resulted in verbal clashes between the treasury benches and the BJP.

 

The prime minister noted that Parliament is the supreme body of the country, but if it is not allowed to function session after session, investors’ confidence would be affected.

 

As the PM continued his attack, Leader of the Opposition Jaitley shot back, “We don’t want to hear alibis for failure.”

 

PM v/s Javedkar and Maitreyan on missing of coal block allotment issues:

PM: I am not the custodian of files in the Coal Ministry.BJP member Prakash Javadekar asked, "then who is (responsible for missing files)"?

 

V Maitreyan (AIADMK member):  You (PM) are the custodian of the entire country.

 

War of words

Prime Minister v/s Leader of Opposition (Rajya Sabha) Arun Jaitley

 

PM: “Have you heard of any country where the Prime Minister is not allowed to introduce his council of ministers?”... Have you heard of Parliament in any country where the opposition shouts in the Well ‘Prime Minister ....hai’? The type of things that have been said here....,”

 

Arun Jaitley: “Have you heard of any country where the Prime Minister has won the vote of confidence by ..........?”

 

PM: Many countries currencies, South Africa, Indonesia, Brazil currencies have falling

 

Jaitley: A failed candidate in the class always has the explanation that the whole class has failed.

 

Jaitley: Corruption hit every sectors be it coal, telecom or mining.

 

PM: Corruption is there, has been there.