With the Government taking its supporters Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party into confidence, the Opposition’s demand for an adjournment motion entailing voting over the FDI in retail is not likely to take place.
The SP and the BSP said it was up to the Government and the Chair to take a decision on the adjournment motions.
The SP said it wants a debate and the Chair can decide its framework. The BSP said the party will take a decision on the issue once the Government announces the Rule under which the issue could be debated in both the Houses of Parliament.
These statements, by SP veteran Ram Gopal Yadav and BSP’s chief Mayawati, are seen as endorsements of the Government’s stand that there is no need for voting on FDI in retail in Parliament. The parties disrupted the day’s proceedings in both the Houses over the issues of cap on subsidised LPG cylinders and the reservations in promotions Bill.
The Government has been maintaining that debating a policy decision in Parliament with voting has never happened in Parliament.
Opposition divided
There are differences in the Opposition camp. The Janata Dal (United) and the Shiromani Akali Dal were not in favour of a voting.
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Left parties, the AIADMK and the Biju Janata Dal have stepped up their pressure on the Government for a debate with voting.
The parties reiterated their stand in a meeting with the Chairs of both the Houses.
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Kamal Nath, told the leaders that an all party meeting will be held on Monday on the issue. With the SP and BSP supporting the Government’s view, the Government will be able to scuttle the Opposition’s strategies, a Minister claimed.
No-confidence motion fails
The Trinamool Congress’s no-confidence motion could not be taken up in Parliament as the party could muster the support of just three BJD MPs other than their 19 MPs. This resulted in a brief ruckus in Parliament.
A top BJD leader told Business Line that the party was in favour of the no-confidence motion but none from the Trinamool Congress had approached them.
“They treated the issue in an immature manner,” the leader added.
jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in