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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Congress braces for a stormy winter session of Parliament

Congress braces for a stormy winter session of Parliament

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published Published on Nov 22, 2012   modified Modified on Nov 22, 2012
-The Times of India

Congress faces an array of opponents keen to corner it over its decision to allow foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail raising the possibility of raucous disruptions as the winter session of Parliament gets underway on Thursday.

The bone of contention is the Opposition's demand that the FDI policy be discussed under a rule that entails a floor test and the government's determination not to accept such a motion on the grounds that an executive decision should not be subject to a vote in Parliament.

Another reason for Parliament not functioning on Thursday could be Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete's demand for a day's adjournment as a mark of respect for the passing away of Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray.

United in their opposition to FDI in retail, BJP, Left and regional parties are gearing to take on the government with even some of Congress's allies and outside supporters demurring over letting global retailers into the domestic market.

With the Opposition sensing an opportunity for all UPA opponents to gather under one tent, BJP and Left members are planning to vociferously press for the acceptance of their motions, a move that can result in a stalemate in Parliament.

It remains to be seen whether the government can break the ice and persuade the Opposition to accept a discussion under a non-voting rule. There is a view that the Opposition might just be amenable to such a proposal as a debate may serve to highlight the consensus against the FDI policy.

Much will depend on how Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's interaction with BJP leaders over dinner on Thursday goes as he is likely to make a strong pitch for the main Opposition's cooperation on some critical bills relating to the economy.

Passage of finance-related legislation is crucial for the government as it tries to re-energize the economy and ward off a rating downgrade the threat of which has not receded. With RBI refusing to lower rates in view of a high deficit and inflation, the government needs to make some headway in Parliament.

As FDI in retail takes centre stage, Trinamool Congress looks isolated in its plan to move a no-confidence motion against the UPA government. BJP and Left have shown no inclination to back the proposition fearing that regional parties like BSP and SP will bail out the government and a no trust vote would only backfire on the Opposition.

The Left has its reasons not to back Trinamool, but BJP also feels the arithmetic does not add up and moving a no-trust motion would mean playing into the ruling coalition's hands.

The PM's dinner engagement with BJP was slated for November 17, but had to be rescheduled due to Thackeray's death.

An all-party meeting convened by the Speaker on Wednesday saw the Opposition making common cause over FDI in retail accusing the government of violating the assurance given to Parliament by government that all stakeholders would be consulted before going ahead with the decision.

"We want the House to run, we wish to cooperate in running the House, there are several issues waiting to be discussed. But, our pre-condition is that the issue on which an assurance was given to the House be taken up first under a rule that entails voting," said Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj.

Parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath did not quite agree, saying "There was no assurance in that sense of the word. There is a committee of assurances... We will go into the records on what Pranab Mukherjee (as finance minister) had said."

BJP MPs in Rajya Sabha Prakash Javdekar and Rajiv Pratap Rudy have given a privilege notice against commerce minister Anand Sharma for bringing in FDI in retail through an executive order.

CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta spoke in a similar vein and was apprehensive about the functioning of Parliament at least for the first few days. Apart from being on the same page as BJP on the FDI in retail issue, Dasgupta said that there should be a discussion on the economic situation in the country and demanded a white paper on the issue from the government.

Leaders of SP and BSP — key outside supporters of the UPA 1 kept cards close to their chest saying a decision on the issue would be taken by Thursday.

The Times of India, 22 November, 2012, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Congress-braces-for-a-stormy-winter-session-of-Parliament/articleshow/17316326.cms


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