NEW DELHI, April 23 (IANS) - The row over alleged financial irregularities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) forced the adjournment of both Houses of Parliament today, even as the government said it would consider a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the lucrative cricket tournament.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned twice, the second time till 2 pm and the Rajya Sabha once till 2.30 pm.
In the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the government will consider a JPC probe into the functioning of the IPL.
"I have noted everybody's suggestion and due consideration will be given. I will forward the sentiments to the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh)," Mukherjee said.
The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), joined by the Left and other non-National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties, raised the issue to target the government that finds itself in a fix ahead of the key Finance Bill and vote on Budget.
Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj insisted that a JPC be appointed to look into the allegations including match-fixing, betting, money laundering and improper award of franchises.
Swaraj alleged that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was delaying the probe to protect some political leaders.
Janata Dal-U (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav said the IPL was "a den of thieves".
"From Mauritius to Switzerland, all sorts of money has been parked here under your government's nose," Sharad Yadav told Mukherjee.
Without naming anyone, the JD-U leader said two ministers figure in the controversy.
"Two ministers have been named," he said, in an apparent reference to Agriculture Minister Sharad Yadav and Aviation Minister Praful Patel, senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) - a key UPA ally.
Media reports Thursday alleged that Patel had forwarded an e-mail to Shashi Tharoor containing projections for the bidding of new IPL franchises.
Pawar's son-in-law Sadanand Sule is also alleged to own a stake in an IPL broadcaster.
Tharoor was last week forced to quit as minister of state for external affairs over his alleged links with the IPL Kochi franchise.
Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurudas Dasgupta said the "government should come clean" over the issue and show they "are not saving any political person".
Dasgupta said the "JPC has a long arm. It can utilize multiple agencies; all political parties in the house will be represented".
Mukherjee said the decision on a JPC will be taken after "due diligence and consideration".
"It cannot be like instant coffee or instant consideration... As and when the government takes a decision, we will come to Parliament."
Dissatisfied, the Opposition members kept shouting "We want JPC", forcing Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn the House till noon.
When the members reassembled, Opposition MPs again created a ruckus.
Deputy Speaker Karia Munda, who was chairing the house, allowed the government to lay 14 business papers amid the din. Then the House was adjourned till 2 pm.
In the Rajya Sabha, opposition members led by BJP's SS Ahluwalia, Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Prakash Javadekar protested the snowballing IPL controversy and demanded a JPC probe.
Amid the din, Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan asked for official papers to be laid on the table of the house and told Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan to list the business for next week.
Raising slogans like "jaanch karo" (conduct an enquiry) and "we want JPC", the Opposition continued its protests forcing Khan to adjourn the House till 2.30 pm.
The row over the multi-billion-dollar IPL erupted after its chief Lalit Modi revealed that Tharoor had allegedly misused his office to benefit his close friend Sunanda Pushkar, who got Rs.70 crore sweat equity in a company which is a IPL Kochi franchisee.
Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate officials have been carrying out searches at IPL franchisees' offices across the country.
