BJP takes aggressive stance at all-party meet

NEW DELHI: On the eve of Budget Session of Parliament, the government today sought to buy peace with the Opposition saying it was ready for any kind of inquiry into the chopper scam on which there was a political consensus.

It also sought to mollify the BJP, which is incensed over Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's "Hindu terror" remarks, saying it would try to sort out the issue through dialogue.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj demanded that Shinde withdraw his remarks and apologise so as to ensure smooth functioning of the House.

Taking an aggressive stance at the all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Swaraj said that if BJP was training terrorists, as alleged by Shinde, then she should cease to be the Leader of the Opposition and BJP members should not be allowed in Parliament.

"As custodian of the House, we seek your protection as the Home Minister, who is also Leader of the House, has alleged that BJP is running terror camps," she told the Speaker during the meeting.

"If we are doing so, then I have no right to be Leader of Opposition and BJP members should not be allowed to sit in the House. We should be probed. But first resolve this matter," Swaraj said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hoped that the session would see "productive and constructive debate leading to agreed solutions" to many national problems.

Noting that all parties have an obligation to ensure that Parliament runs smoothly, Singh said, "I am hopeful and confident that this is going to be a fruitful session."

He expressed the hope that at a juncture when the country is facing many economic challenges, all political parties would join hands for productive and constructive solutions.

Swaraj said political parties want discussion on several issues including VVIP chopper scam, Indo-Pak ties in the backdrop of beheading of two Indian soldiers, situation in Maldives, attempts by China to encircle India, severe drought in Maharashtra and plight of farmers due to hailstorm in Madhya Pradesh as also the burden of rising prices on the common man.