In counter-attack, Govt draws up plans to 'embarrass' Cong

Unfazed by the opposition campaign, the government has drawn up a counter plan to "embarrass" and "expose" the Congress in every possible way and "exhaust" the party, which has paralysed Parliament for the last three days.
The government strategy will unfold in the next few days with the ruling dispensation planning more counter-attacks against Congress leaders in case the opposition continues with its tirade.
The government is aiming at exposing chief ministers in Congress-ruled states and the party's former chief ministers in its bid to counter the opposition tirade, even as it also wants the opposition party to "exhaust" itself in Parliament.

Terming the opposition demand for resignations of Union ministers and chief ministers as "irresponsible", the government rejected it as being "without any basis" and said there is no need for a probe against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as she has not violated any law.
It also said that a CBI probe is already going on in the Vyapam scam and the charges against Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje are of a time when she was an ordinary person.
"There is no question of anyone resigning... Sushma Swaraj has not violated any law. Parliament cannot inquire into Rajasthan Government... And Raje was not holding any position in government...," said a top BJP leader.

He also questioned why Congress was "shying away" from a debate and said, "who allowed Lalit Modi to leave India? And why no action taken against him" and added "the cheap tactics of publicity will boomerang on them".

The logjam in Parliament is likely to continue with the first initiative to end the stalemate turned a "non-starter" after Congress refused to participate. The informal meeting had to be called off after the principal opposition party Congress did not participate.
Sources said Congress had initially shown its inclination to attend the meeting but later backed out.
"It is our job to reach out to Opposition for the smooth conduct of Parliament. Congress seems not interested," said a Union minister, adding that there was no purpose of holding the meeting when the main opposition was not there.