Winter session won't be a wash-out: JD-U

Key National Democratic Alliance ally Janata Dal-United on Monday claimed the next Parliament session will not be washed out over the coal controversy, unlike the previous one, and demanded that the government convene a two-month winter session to discuss all issues.

"The next Parliament session will definitely run. The winter session will not be disrupted even for a day. Congress may run away from the House but we will not run," Yadav, who is also the NDA convener, told reporters.

When pointed out that the last Parliament session was almost completely washed out as the Bharatiya Janata Party had remained adamant on the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the coal issue, Yadav said, "It was unfortunate that the session could not run as it is Parliament where the country's issues are discussed".

"There could be a demand for the resignation of the prime minister but there will be no rigidity on the issue. An attempt will be made to bring together the entire opposition and other parties on the issue," Yadav said.

Though the JD-U had joined BJP in protests on the coal block allocation issue in Parliament in the monsoon session, there were enough indications from the party that it did not favour the boycott of Parliament over the BJP's demand for the resignation of the prime minister on the issue.

Yadav said he had never sought the prime minister's resignation though the NDA was united in its opposition to the government on the issue.

"Did you hear me saying that the PM should resign? We don't demand resignations. Demands made for the resignation (of prime minister) have so far failed to elicit any response," he said.

The JD-U chief stressed that the winter session of Parliament should be held for two months so that all important issues are discussed.

"The only solution, in my opinion, to address all the issues is to devote maximum time by MPs in sessions of Parliament. Many important issues have taken a backseat due to Parliament being not in session. Parliament represents 120 crore people and public opinions are formed only through this forum, which is supreme in our country," he said.

Yadav also slammed activist Arvind Kejriwal and India Against Corruption for "diverting" attention from real problems of the country through its "daily chorus" on "personal issues" and advised it to approach the court on the alleged links between Robert Vadra and real estate major DLF.

He also criticised Kejriwal's team for saying that they have no faith in the government's probe into the alleged financial misappropriation in Law Minister Salman Khurshid's NGO and said the country is not developed by "attacking individuals".

At the same time, Yadav came down heavily on Law Minister Salman Khurshid for addressing a press conference on the issue on Sunday, saying it did not behove a Cabinet minister.

"The manner in which Salman Khurshid, a Cabinet minister, addressed the media on the issue was shocking. I have never seen such devaluation of politics. He should not forget that he is a minister. Is it necessary for a Cabinet minister to reply to everything? His party could have done it. I am ashamed that a Cabinet minister does it in this manner -- waving photographs to prove that he has not done anything wrong," Yadav said.

The JD-U chief also criticised Kejriwal and his team for their recent agitations against the power tariff hike in Delhi.

"They (Kejriwal and his team) cast doubts on everything. They have no trust in any court, any probe agency. The country is not made by targeting individuals. The UP government has already ordered a probe but you say that you don't trust a government probe. The DLF issue is now in court. If you want to fight it, send your lawyer there and prove the case against him," he said.

He said that had they (Team Kejriwal) demanded the autonomy of the Central Bureau of Investigation, it would have fetched them the support of all parties.

"But they demanded Lokpal as if it was a panacea for all ills," Yadav said.