The demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation on the coal scam led to a political slugfest today with BJP attacking Sonia Gandhi for her "arrogance" in dismissing its demand and Congress ridiculing the Opposition party for sticking to its "favourite slogan".
BJP revived the demand for resignation of Singh and pressed for sacking of Law Minister Ashwini Kumar in the wake of reports of interference in the preparation of CBI report to the Supreme Court on the coal scam.
But the Congress president was quick to trash it. "Let them ask" was her terse remark while AICC spokesman P C Chacko suggested the demand as worthless.
"How many times they have made the demand in last four years. PM's resignation was always the favourite slogan of the Opposition. They have no value at all," Chacko said.
While Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said he was not surprised at Gandhi's response to their demand, BJP deputy leader in the Upper House Ravi Shankar Prasad did not wish to comment on her "arrogant style".
Jaitley said Gandhi may see Singh's alleged role in the coal allocation case as a "virtue" but BJP feels this is nothing less than a scam.
"I don't wish to comment upon the arrogant style of Madam Sonia Gandhi if she gave this remark. But at least in all humility, I would expect a reply from Madam Sonia Gandhi who has been Congress president that how is it and why is it that the JPC report by one of its own Congress leader Ram Niwas Mirdha is praised even today including its conduct, while that of its own Congress leader P C Chacko is open to so much of doubt, including its credentials," Prasad said.
Congress, meanwhile, sought to project that the Opposition was not keen for passage of key bills on food security and land acquisition and paralysing Parliament.
"We appeal to all parties to help pass these bills," Chacko said.
