JPC issue: Congress trains guns on Opposition

New Delhi, Feb 21 (PTI) Amid clear signals on JPCformation, the Congress today said Government''s chief concernwas to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament and blamed theOpposition for the prolonged standoff.

"Steps taken by the government prove that the onlyentity making attempts to ensure the smooth running ofParliament is the UPA government," party spokesperson AbhishekSinghvi told reporters.

"We have repeatedly made attempts to run Parliament beit through announcing the offer of a multi disciplinary probeattached with PAC, Supreme Court monitored CBI investigationor the Prime Minister''s offer to appear before the PAC," hesaid.

Asked why the government was acceding to the requestfor JPC into 2G spectrum issue only now when the standoff onthe issue had led to washout of the Winter Session, Singhvisaid, "This question should be addressed to those, who wereobstructing Parliament".

Though the Congress spokesperson termed as"hypothetical" questions about JPC formation, he was quick toadd: "We are aware of the strong desire of people of thecountry that Parliament should function....Government hassince beginning taking efforts in this direction."

Asked whether there was any legal obstacles in bothPAC and JPC probing the same issue, Singhvi, who is also asenior lawyer, replied in negative.

"I do not see any constitutional prohibition in theexistence of the two," he said.

A senior party leader on the condition of anonymitysaid "both do not happen normally but there is noconstitutional bar as such." PTI AMR SPG