Allies to support government’s “no JPC” stand on 2G probe

UPA allies today expressed full support to the government on its refusal to agree to a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam, an issue that has stalled functioning of the parliament for the last 12 consecutive working days.

With some UPA constituents appearing not to be averse to a JPC probe, the government held a luncheon meeting of its allies to chalk out a joint strategy to counter the opposition offensive. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha speaker has called an all-party meet tomorrow the end the logjam.

After the near two-hour long meet attended by UPA constituents NCP, DMK, TMC and NC, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee appealed to the opposition to give up its demand for a JPC probe.

"Yesterday I made an appeal to different political parties including L K Advani and Leader of Opposition (in Lok Sabha) … I am renewing my appeal to the Opposition," Mukherjee told reporters.

Without elaborating, Mukherjee said he had ''shared the situation'' with the UPA allies.

According to agriculture minister and NCP leader Sharad Pawar the UPA constituents had decided on a ''collective approach'' to the issue.