Congress hits back at BJP, ready for debate on 'Coalgate'

With Parliament adjourned over the coalgate scam, the Congress party on Tuesday asked the opposition to initiate a debate on the floor of the house if they felt they had a valid case.

"It was up to the opposition to decide if it wanted a democracy or a mobocracy. If they feel they have a point, let them debate it on the floor. The Congress is ready to match them point for point", Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said.

Both Houses of Parliament were on Tuesday adjourned for the day after the BJP-led opposition stalled proceedings over the CAG report on coal block allocations and demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation.

The BJP has held the Prime Minister responsible for what has been estimated as loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crores by the CAG in coal block allocation and demanded his resignation.

The CAG report on coal block allocation states that nearly 150 coalfields were allotted to private and state-run firms without transparency and objectivity between 2005 and 2009.

The report does not indict the Prime Minister or his office, but the BJP is emphasizing on the fact that for three of the years under scrutiny, the Prime Minister held direct charge of the Coal Ministry. (ANI)