New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI): Mounting pressure on the government, Congress today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan if he was interested in running the monsoon session of parliament smoothly.
Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the running of the Parliament and passage of important bills during the monsoon session will be "more easy" if the BJP takes action against these leaders while it will also help BJP in "correcting" its image which has taken a hit due to the scams.
"The minimum action is removal all those, particularly the three, who are involved in Lalitgate, including Rajasthan chief Minister, other MP and Union Minister and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and two ministers of Maharasthra," Azad told reporters when asked what is the minimum action by the Prime Minister which will satisfy his party.
He expressed hope that the way the top leadership of BJP has summoned chief ministers of both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, resignation will be sought from the leaders.
"I am hopeful that when the Parliament session starts day after, Prime Minister will start by saying that those involved or those on whom charges have been levelled in Lalitgate as well as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister under whose leadership dozens of witnesses have been killed and thousands have got degrees in such a manner, he (PM) will announce their resignation," he said.
Noting that the running of the Parliament is not upto the opposition, Azad said that Congress, which is a responsible party believes that laws which are beneficial for people should be passed..
"If the BJP takes action in the one or two days, in my opinion running of the Parliament will be more easy and passing of bills will be more easy. It will also be an opportunity for correction for both BJP's leadership and its image which has been dented in their 15 month rule," he said.
Azad said that it was upto Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide whether the monsoon session of the Parliament will run or not.
"...it is the work of the government to respect the demand of the opposition, take them into confidence and fulfill their demands. It is 100 per cent in the hands of government and Prime Minister has to decide whether Parliament will run or not," he said.
Asked about the pending GST bill, Azad said that Congress has not given any dissent note and it was Congress's bill and it is not against it.
"But when any bill is sent to joint standing or select committee, the reason behind it is that all political parties can gain an opportunity to build consensus.
"Our party has also given amendments. Just because Congress has given amendments, to think that accepting it will diminish their (BJP's) power, domination, pride...that is undemocratic and dictatorial. We will give amendments in which states will be benefited, people are not burdened, lessen friction between Centre and states...whatever suggestion we will give it will not be partisan," he said.
Terming the government as "thick skinned", Azad said that this is the first time after Independence where government has not taken any action despite the fact that ministers and chief ministers are involved in cases and agitation is going on all over the country against it.
"During our tenure, even on small allegations, there was demand of resignation from opposition and within 24 hours either the minsters used to give resignation themselves or the leadership asked them to give resignation. But in independent India, we are seeing such thick skinned government for the first time," he said.
This is the first time in Independent India that where in Vyapam scam, 40-50 witnesses have been killed. In Asaram case as well, witness are being killed.