Constitutional bodies shouldn`t exceed their jurisdiction: Cong

Congress hit out at CAG saying that constitutional institutions should function within their jurisdiction.

New Delhi: As the Opposition mounted attack on the Government over the CAG report on coal, Congress on Wednesday hit out at the apex audit body saying that constitutional institutions should function within their jurisdiction and not take any step which damages the system. Party spokesperson Rashid Alvi also criticised the Opposition, mainly BJP, for stalling the functioning of Parliament over the issue and said that coal blocks were allocated only on the recommendation of governments in states, many of which were ruled by the BJP. "Constitutional bodies should be careful not to take any step, which damages the system. CAG is a constitutional body. It has arrived at presumptive losses. Every constitutional body has its set jurisdiction. No constitutional body should go beyond its jurisdiction. We should work by remaining within our jurisdiction," Alvi said. Alvi`s comment was in contrast to yesterday`s remarks by another party spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary, who was soft on the CAG, making a course correction from the earlier strong remarks of some Congress leaders against the CAG. Trashing the BJP`s demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s resignation, Alvi said, "There is no question of the Prime Minister resigning...Prime Minister`s image is very clean...Nobody turns an accused or delinquent only by BJP`s allegations" taking a dig at the Opposition party for "making allegation, giving witness and also delivering judgements".

Alvi was asked a number of questions at the AICC briefing on why the party was making an exception in case of the Prime Minister when many ministers facing allegations had to resign in the past. The Congress spokesperson said nobody should jump the gun and allow the process to culminiate. "The CAG has given its report. Now the PAC will examine it. Then there is a CBI inquiry. Let the CBI investigate first." Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said that the Prime Minister will intervene whenever the debate takes place. Sources said the Prime Minister was ready to make a statement in the House yesterday itself. PTI