New Delhi: Unfazed by the Prime Minister`s 32-point statement in Parliament and dwindling support from other parties, BJP on Monday said it will not retreat from its demand for Manmohan Singh`s resignation and alleged that he delayed coal block auctions for undue benefits to Congress.
Singh`s appeal to BJP to agree to a debate on the coal block allegations fell on deaf ears with the main opposition launching a direct attack on the PM.
BJP claimed it has the support of NDA allies and parties like AIADMK and will continue to press for the PM`s resignation on moral grounds.
"Congress has got a fat sum from coal block allocation, that is why this delay (in amending the laws) was caused. My charge is that huge revenue was generated but it did not go to the government and went to the Congress party," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj told reporters.
Slamming Singh`s statement disputing CAG`s findings, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said it was an assault on constitutionalism and constitutional authority.
BJP demanded cancellation of all 142 coal blocks alloted since 2006 and insisted that these be auctioned.
"If an impartial probe is conducted, I can say with full responsibility as Leader of Opposition that Congress will be in the dock along with the government," Swaraj said.
Asked if BJP is alone on this issue as even its allies have indicated that they would like a debate in Parliament on the issue, Jaitley said, "We don`t stand alone. And on corruption even if we have to fight alone it would be majestic isolation. The support of the people is with us."
Swaraj claimed allies SAD, JD(U) and Shiv Sena were with the BJP and even parties like AIADMK were supporting NDA on the demand for PM`s resignation.
BJP said as minister in-charge of coal ministry, PM was morally responsible and he should step down.
PTI
