WikiLeaks disclosure

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday demanded resignation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the wake of the latest WikiLeaks revelations of leaked US diplomatic cables that payoffs had been made to MPs to win a crucial vote of confidence on the civil nuclear deal with the US in 2008. The Wiki revelations rocked both the Houses of Parliament soon after the session started as the main opposition party BJP and the Left sought an explanation from the government over the issue.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s resignation. She said the UPA government had lost the moral right to rule the country. “The prime minister should come in the House and announce his resignation. This government has lost the moral right to govern,” she said.

BJP’s ally Shiv Sena also demanded the prime minister’s resignation. Party leader Manohar Joshi said, “The allegation has shamed the country. The prime minister must resign.” Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav said WikiLeaks exposure should be investigated thoroughly. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said the government had lost the right to stay in the office even for a minute.

The Congress members objected to the Opposition’s demand and started slogan shouting. Following an uproar, both the Houses were adjourned till 12 noon. WikiLeaks on Wednesday revealed that a 2008 cable from a US diplomat had said that they were told by an aide of Congress leader Satish Sharma that four MPs from Ajit Singh’s party Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) were paid Rs 10 crore each by the main ruling party. The prime minister had won his vote by a delicate margin.