Samajwadi Party breaks with Congress, wants debate in Parliament

NEW DELHI: Breaking ranks with Congress, the Samajwadi Party today asked the party to allow a debate in Parliament on the issues it was raking up or boycott it.

At a meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav told Congress leaders to spell out their demand for breaking the logjam in the House, allow the Minister concerned and government to answer their allegations and end the matter through debate.

Adopting an aggressive stand on the continued logjam, Yadav said the deadlock should be broken and those making allegations and those against whom charges are made have a right to speak in Parliament and explain their position before the people of the country and the disruption should end.

This came as a surprise to Congress as Yadav had last week extended his party's support to Congress after 25 of its members were suspended by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. The party had also boycotted proceedings in the Lok Sabha.

Parliament sources said government favours a debate under Rule 193 on "Issues arising out of IPL controversy" in Lok Sabha and the issue may be listed tomorrow.

Sources said Mulayam Singh Yadav stumped Congress saying that he was not aware of its demands and that his party would spell out his stand only after hearing their demand and if it considered so to support them.

He reportedly said at the meeting that everyone has a right to speak in Parliament and put their point across in the House. He questioned how the Congress can continue to create pandemonium and not allow the House to function.

Yadav said that the Congress either speak inside the House and parties will decide their support thereafter or should boycott the House and go to the people directly.