The Hindu : Unity within and outside Parliament, says Opposition

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 17, 2003

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Unity within and outside Parliament, says Opposition

By Javed M. Ansari

NEW DELHI FEB. 16. The Opposition parties today took the first step towards closing ranks, in a bid to take on the Government. Leaders of all the major Opposition parties met over dinner at the residence of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi, to chalk out a strategy to consolidate their efforts in Parliament.

The Opposition shortlisted many issues on which it plans to put the Government on the mat during the budget session beginning tomorrow. Of greater significance was the fact that the meeting held out hopes of cooperation outside Parliament as well. "The biggest achievement is the Opposition unity — we will cooperate on everything... just wait and see what happens'' said the Samajwadi Party president, Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The Congress spokesperson, Jaipal Reddy, said the parties had identified a series of issues, including the situation arising out of the Government's appeal on Ayodhya, the Uttar Pradesh situation, lack of response to the JPC report, the Government's "silence" on the Iraq situation and its "discriminatory" attitude towards some drought-hit States.

The floor leaders will meet again tomorrow after ascertaining the Government's attitude before deciding on the nature of their attack. Though all the options, including an adjournment motion on Ayodhya, are being considered, it is likely that the first salvo will be on Uttar Pradesh.

The significance of today's meeting lies not only in the fact that the fractious Opposition is beginning to realise the importance of joint action in taking on the Government, but also reflects an appreciation of the ground realities, and its willingness to put aside the angularities and work towards the larger goal of defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition.

The former Prime Minister, Deve Gowda, and senior leaders such as Sharad Pawar, Laloo Prasad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan stressed the need for greater synergy and joint action among the Opposition parties outside Parliament.

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