Opposition attacks govt on Tharoor, prices, Dantewada

NEW DELHI: Question Hour in Parliament on Thursday witnessed a stormy start with a joint Opposition attacking the government on three key issues: The Tharoor IPL controversy, spiraling prices and the massacre by Maoists at Dantewada.

Union minister Shashi Tharoor was on Wednesday night summoned by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister AK Anthony to explain the ongoing controversy over the Kochi IPL franchise to the Congress party and the government. The Opposition has demanded Tharoor’s sacking.

Sources said that Tharoor explained his version to both the ministers in the meeting. Sources also added that Pranab Mukherjee and Anthony continued meeting after Tharoor left and discussed how to tackle the issue when it is raised by the opposition in the Parliament on Thursday.

Sources say Tharoor has been given an option of explaining his position in Parliament today. They also say the minister has requested a meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi to clarify his stand.

Tharoor, who on Wednesday evening ruled out his resignation on the IPL issue saying that he has not done anything wrong or misused office, met the two ministers at Mukherjee's residence for nearly an hour after which he left without speaking to waiting mediapersons.

There was no official word on the meeting but Tharoor is believed to have explained his version on his role in mentoring the IPL Kochi bid that has triggered a massive controversy over alleged misuse of his office.



The meeting came after the Congress Core Group headed by party chief Sonia Gandhi met to discuss the strategy in Parliament on the eve of the resumption of the Budget Session. Prime Minister indicated he would take action in the issue if warranted after his return from abroad if there was evidence.

Both the BJP and Left parties have demanded his sacking. The BJP-led NDA met on Wednesday evening and demanded that action be taken against him under Prevention of Corruption Act. After a public function, Mukherjee declined to answer reporters question on the fate of Tharoor.