Congress on Wednesday said that government had no option but to resign in the wake of expose of corruption in fictitious defence deal involving some politicians including BJP president Bangaru Laxman and Samata Party chief Jaya Jaitley. Demanding resignation of the Vajpayee government, party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters in New Delhi that in view of the monumental and multi-dimensional disclosures nothing other than the exit of NDA government on moral ground would meet the demand of the situation. Asked whether the party would agree for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the matter, he said that first the government had to go. “We will agree for JPC if the government is gone,” Reddy said. To a question if the party would allow Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to clarify government`s position in Parliament, Reddy said that he was always free to offer explanation in Parliament. Pointing out Laxman`s admission that he had received one lakh rupees and suspension of senior defence officials conclusively confirmed the absolute authenticity of the revelations, Reddy said, ‘This government has no moral right to continue in office.” He said that the party was in constant touch with opposition parties for floor coordination on the issue.
Reddy parried a question if the Congress was in favour of mid-term polls or for formation of an alternative government in case this government was out.
Bureau Report