JPC issue: Congress trains guns on Opposition

"Steps taken by the government prove that the only entity making attempts to ensure the smooth running of Parliament is the UPA government," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.

"We have repeatedly made attempts to run Parliament be it through announcing the offer of a multi disciplinary probe attached with PAC, Supreme Court monitored CBI investigation or the Prime Minister`s offer to appear before the PAC," he said.

Asked why the government was acceding to the request for JPC into 2G spectrum issue only now when the standoff on the issue had led to washout of the Winter Session, Singhvi said, "This question should be addressed to those, who were obstructing Parliament".

Though the Congress spokesperson termed as "hypothetical" questions about JPC formation, he was quick to add: "We are aware of the strong desire of people of the country that Parliament should function....Government has since beginning taking efforts in this direction."

Asked whether there was any legal obstacles in both PAC and JPC probing the same issue, Singhvi, who is also a senior lawyer, replied in negative.

"I do not see any constitutional prohibition in the existence of the two," he said.

A senior party leader on the condition of anonymity said "both do not happen normally but there is no constitutional bar as such."