Opposition not prepared for discussion: Arun Jaitley

Says Sushma Swaraj wanted to put forward her arguments in parliament, but the opposition is not willing to listen

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the opposition was not prepared for a discussion in parliament and was changing stance on the issues raised by it.

"Yesterday (Tuesday), the opposition wanted a discussion on the issue and we conceded, but the opposition was not ready. Today (Wednesday), they have changed their stance and wanted a probe...those who violated law have to be investigated like in the 2G and coal scam. We asked them to inform which law has been broken, and under what provision they have been violated. But no one has been able to point out which provision of law has been violated," Jaitley told reporters outside parliament.

"Sushma ji wanted to put forward her arguments in parliament, but the opposition is not willing to listen. The opposition is not prepared and equipped with facts to hold a discussion," the minister said.
 

 

The opposition is demanding the resignation of External Affairs Minsiter Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the Lalit Modi issue while Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouchan is under attack for the Vyapam scam.

On the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill, Jaitley said the Congress was dissenting on their own bill. "On GST, we want this historic legislation for the whole country and want it to be discussed in the house."

"In 2006, the proposal was made and UPA introduced it after discussions. Today, the Congress has given a separate dissent note on the GST; it is dissent against their own bill," said Jaitley.

Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who was involved in a heated debate with Arun Jailtey in the Rajya Sabha, later said: "We are demanding investigation into the corruption cases. Till the probe is on, the ministers should demit office. A precedent was set by them and the same yardstick applies to them as well," he said.