Delhi and District Cricket Association row disrupts Parliament as Congress rides on Kirti Azad

New Delhi

Among the key faces who took part in the fierce debate over the issue included BJP member Kirti Azad who demanded a timebound SIT probe. Congress on its part pressed for resignation of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who dismissed charges against him as “baseless” and “wrong”. Ruling out Jaitley’s resignation, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that the Finance Minister was known for his “impeccable character, honesty and maintaining high standards in public life”. Countering the demands and charges, Jaitley said, “The charges (against me) are baseless and wrong. This is all I have to say.”

The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) report did not find any fault with the expenditure, he said. The issue was raised in the Lok Sabha by K C Venugopal (Cong) who claimed that there were “gross irregularities” in DDCA when Jaitley headed it and alleged his involvement. Congress members, led by party president Sonia Gandhi, then staged a walkout in Lok Sabha. While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned repeatedly over the issue. Jaitley said he was ready to reply to all charges and urged the Chair to ask Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad to start a discussion immediately. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien expunged all allegations against the Finance Minister.