Taking que from Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday attempted to demolish the allegations levelled by Congress president Sonia Gandhi while moving No-Confidence Motion against Vajpayee Government.
Reacting sharply to Ms Gandhi's charges that the NDA Government not only undermined the parliamentary democracy but also misused the CBI to protect some of its senior ministers in Ayodhya case, Ms Swaraj said: "It's Indira Gandhi who misused Parliament to amend the rules in her favour in 1975. When Allahabad High Court disqualified her election and Supreme Court said she can participate in the House without voting rights, Indira Gandhi changed the rules so that the Prime Minister cannot be challenged in courts."
On the other hand, she said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had favoured the institution of Lok Pal and promised to bring even the leader of the House under its purview. "And, we are accused of undermining the parliamentary democracy," she quipped.
On allegation that the Centre had attempted to destabilise the Government in Arunachal Pradesh, Ms Swaraj referred to te change of Government in Haryana where the elected Janata Party Government was converted into Congress Government overnight. "The Congress which has ruled for 40 long years has great expertise in toppling Governments. The dubious role of Congress in 1981 in Haryana is akin to the unforgettable tale of Alibaba and 40 thieves," she said.
Rejecting all nine charges levelled Ms Gandhi on Monday against the Vajpayee Government, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister challenged the allegation that the CVC report on arms procurement was not provided as it would indict the Government. "Congress spokesperson S Jaipal Reddy said that the CVC report referred to five items with regards to arms deal. I contradict him that the report mentioned only about two items. I ask the Congress leader to present the facts before the House," she said.
Ms Swaraj asked Ms Gandhi to know more about the Indian politics and her party before commenting on issues such as parliamentary democracy and role of various Governments in development. "It would be better if the Congress president brush up her knowledge about the history of her party or else you would have to face embarrassment," she said.
Ms Swaraj, who repeatedly faced interruptions from the Opposition, assured the House that the Government was ready to enact Women's Reservation Bill. "I request the Opposition not to doubt our integrity on Women's Reservation Bill. We are frequented asked why a joing session cannot be held to pass the Bill. Joint session of Parliament can only be convened when the Bill is adopted in one House and rejected in the Other House. In this case, there is not even a debate on the issue in any House," she explained.
Detailing the development activities initiated by Mr Vajpayee, she said: "The Government has taken up a gigantic activity of laying 15,000 km-long four-lane highways connecting north, south, east and west. Besides, rural road activity is being taken up in a large scale."
She informed the House that the Prime Minister had asked her to set up six super speciality hospital on the lines of All India Institute of Medical Sciences in one year. She said the people need not wait for cooking gas, telephone and other basic amenities. "The country is witnessing all-round development. Unfortunately the Opposition is not able to see it and appreciate," she remarked.
Participating in the debate, TDP member K Yerran Naidu said bringing in the no-confidence motion was a politically motivated exercise by the Congress. He said the Congress remained silent for the last four years and this showed that the NDA Government was doing well. He accused the Congress of attempting to destabilise the government whose achievements were being appreciated by entire nation.
On various issues raised by Congress including defence scandals, national security and corruption, Mr Naidu said it was Congress, which ruled the country for over 45 years, was responsible for this situation.
Calling the Congress and corruption as two sides of same coin, he said scandals like Bofors happened during the Congress regime.
Bahujan Samaj Party leader Rashid Alvi lambasted the Opposition for bringing a no-confidence motion against most effective government led by Mr Vajpayee. "The Opposition should have strengthened the hands of Mr Vajpayee who is providing able administration.
Criticising the Congress for attempting
to demoralise the defence forces by raising unnecessary controversy over
the arms purchases, former union minister Vasundhara Raje said that the
whole nation was supporting Mr Vajapyee. She alleged that the Congress
government in Rajasthan miserably failed to provide compensation to the
drought affected people. Among others who attacked the Opposition and the
Congress were Forest and Environment Minister TR Balu and Shiv Sena member
Chandrakant Khaire.