The Opposition on Sunday demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the phone-tapping issue.
The Left and the BJP have separately decided to serve notice for suspension of question hour in the Lok Sabha on Monday and press for a discussion on “unethical and unconstitutional” act of phone-tapping.
Soon after senior BJP leader L.K. Advani expressed shock over the phone-tapping of prominent political leaders like CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh and demanded a Parliamentary committee probe, the Left too came up with the demand for a JPC inquiry.
Already there is a demand for setting up a JPC to look into the Indian Premier League issue.
The BJP is of the view that a common JPC can serve the purpose of probing the IPL scam and the phone-tapping controversy with the issuance of separate terms of reference for the two issues. The Opposition wants a statement from the Prime Minister on the issue.
The Opposition also proposed to move a cut motion highlighting the spiralling prices of essentials on Tuesday. The BJP has issued a whip to its members to vote in favour of the cut motion.
The Congress too has issued a whip directing its members to be present in the House and not only defeat the cut motion but also vote in favour of the demands of the various departments and the Finance Bill. It has also urged its allies to issue whips to its members.
According to political pundits, the role of the BSP with 21 members will be crucial as without its support the strength of the UPA coalition in the Lok Sabha stands at 274, just two more than the half way mark and that includes the Speaker.
