The Hindu : National : BJP may go along with consensus on Patents Bill

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005

National

National

BJP may go along with consensus on Patents Bill

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI, MARCH 21. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, L.K. Advani, indicated today that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) could go along with a political consensus on the Patents Bill (which will replace the ordinance), now deferred by the Government till tomorrow.

A political party leader (not from the BJP), who was present at today's meeting of the NDA leaders, said: "Mr. Advani addressed the meeting and said that, after all, the Patents Bill was the very same one drafted by the NDA Government with some minor changes and perhaps the NDA should go along with the political consensus."

Mr. Advani also said that the Minister for Trade and Commerce, Kamal Nath, had a detailed discussion with him on the Bill and he had emphasised that India had some international obligations to pass the legislation. Mr. Advani hinted that some more discussions could take place with the Government. A final decision on the NDA's attitude to the legislation will be taken tomorrow at yet another meeting ahead of the moving of the Bill for voting and adoption.

However, the BJP spokesperson, V.K. Malhotra, told the press that as of today the NDA was in favour of sending the Bill to the standing committee for a detailed discussion. He said the NDA party whips had already asked all their members to be present and vote against the Bill. "We were also told that we should ask for division when voting takes place."

At the same time, Mr. Malhotra said the NDA's stand was valid "as of today" and he could not say what decision would be taken at tomorrow's meeting.

He said that after opposing the Bill, the Left parties held detailed discussions with the Government and, possibly, the Government has accepted some amendments suggested by them. The BJP would use the extra day "to study" what amendments had been accepted by the Government.

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