Govt rejects oppn demand for probe, says no law violated

Digging in its heels, Government on Wednesday rejected demand for a probe into charges against Union minister Sushma Swaraj and and two BJP chief ministers, contending they had not violated any law and sharpened its attack on Opposition for stalling Parliament. As the issue rocked Parliament for the second day, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley lashed out at the opposition saying it is "weak on arguments and strong on disturbance". He told reporters that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, whose resignation has been sought by the Congress-led opposition parties, had given her "elaborate reasoning" at the BJP parliamentary party meeting today and the party wanted her to give it before the country.

"But obviously opposition is weak on arguments and strong on disturbance," he said, accusing Congress and other parties of not being interested in debate. Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje are under attack for their links with Lalit Modi, the controversial former IPL Chairman who is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate for alleged money laundering. Madhya Prdesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is facing the heat over Vyapam scam and death of nearly 40 persons linked to it.

Jaitley said that the opposition after demanding resignations of Swaraj and others today sought an investigation into the charges against them. "Investigation is held when some provision of law is violated. Nobody has been able to point out despite our repeated requests as to which provision of law, as they allege, has been violated," he said, hitting out at the opposition.

Reiterating the government's wish for a debate on the issues being raised by the opposition, he said the whole country should get to know the facts of the case. Calling on parties to allow Parliament to function, he said, "There are many important issues of public welfare. Some laws have to be passed. There should be debate over them."