PM makes statement in Lok Sabha on 'Q' issue

In a statement in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday denied that he had addressed a press conference on the controversial Quattrocchi issue while the matter was being debated in the House.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Lal Kishenchand Advani had alleged that the government had hidden the fact of Quattrocchi's arrest, which had taken place on February 6.

Advani also alleged that the big developments did not figure in the Presidential address.

"We have never shied away from discussion and my colleague Suresh Pachouri, minister of state for Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs, had made a statement in both Houses on Parliament giving detailed account of events from the time of Quattrocchi's arrest," Dr Singh said.

"I was responding to election results when a newsman asked me about the Quattrocchi issue. All I said was that CBI will be given full freedom in the case, and it was not my intention to hurt anybody," Dr Singh said.

Advani in his opening remarks said that all the opposition wanted was a suspension of Question Hour and a discussion on the issue.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee explained that he had offered to sort out the matter on the first day itself, but hardened stances on either side did not help.

Earlier in the day, an unrelenting opposition stalled proceedings in Parliament over the issue, accusing Dr Singh of showing disrespect to the House by making a statement outside it.

As soon as the House assembled, BJP-led opposition members were on their feet vehemently protesting Dr Singh's remarks to reporters that the government has done "nothing wrong" on the issue.

BJP members led by Sushma Swaraj were up on their feet alleging a cover up by the government in the entire affair.

BJP deputy leader V K Malhotra contended that when the House was in session and the matter had been repeatedly raised by the opposition, the prime minister had no business to speak on the issue at a different forum.

Efforts by Chatterjee to persuade members to allow Question Hour to commence proved futile.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said, "We have no problem in discussing any issue including the Quattrocchi issue."

Both Houses were adjourned till 1400 hours over the issue.

With PTI Inputs