Both Houses of Parliament were disrupted again on Friday on issues such as voting on foreign direct investment (FDI) and the delay in passage of a Bill to ensure reservation in promotions.

Supporters of the Government, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samajwadi Party, continued to disrupt the proceedings by raising the issue of delay in passage of the Bill to ensure reservation in promotions and cap on subsidised LPG cylinders.

The SP said it would oppose reservation in promotions as it would “divide” society. The BSP accused the Government of going back on its promise that the Bill would be passed at the earliest.

The BJP, Left parties, Biju Janata Dal and AIADMK demanded a discussion on FDI in retail with voting, which the Government is trying to avoid.

Congress options

The Congress core committee, which met in Parliament, discussed various options before the Government. A view is emerging from the ruling side that since the SP and BSP are supporting it, allowing a discussion under Rule 184 with voting will not harm the Government.

If this is necessary for smooth functioning of Parliament, the Government may relent and agree for a debate under Rule 184, sources said.

However, a final decision will be taken only after the all-party meeting, which will be held on Monday.

The Government will make all efforts to convince the Opposition that voting on FDI will not be possible as it is a policy matter.

SP and BSP are likely to support the Government’s position on voting at the all-party meeting.

Sources said SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav told Opposition leaders here that he was not in favour of voting on retail FDI, though he was opposed to its implementation in principle.

If the Government is confident of winning, why is it afraid of voting on the issue?” the CPI(M) leader in Lok Sabha Basudeb Acharia asked.

jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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