The Hindu : Gujarat standoff will cast its shadow on Parliament session

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 15, 2002

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Gujarat standoff will cast its shadow on Parliament session

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 14. The battle lines are drawn between the Government and the Opposition, and the reconvened budget session of Parliament, commencing tomorrow, will probably be a stormy affair. Like the first half of the session, it is likely to be dominated by Gujarat.

Sparks are bound to fly in the Lok Sabha as the Opposition leaders have given notice to move an adjournment motion on Gujarat.

The current tension within the NDA ranks, as well as the aggressive posture adopted by the BJP on the issue, is bound to generate heat in both houses.

In the Rajya Sabha, the issue will come up after the newly-elected MPs are administered the oath of office.

The RJD chief, Laloo Prasad Yadav, will take oath tomorrow and his presence in the Opposition ranks is bound to have an impact.

Traditionally, the highlight of the second half of the session is the passage of the Finance Bill to give effect to the budget proposals. Other crucial items on the agenda include the demand for grants by various Ministries and the Railway Budget.

However, there is an edge to this particular session. The beleaguered Vajpayee Government finds itself buffeted by the Opposition, as well as some of its allies within the NDA.

The ongoing communal violence in Gujarat and the stand-off between the BJP and some of its allies, such as the Telugu Desam Party and the Trinamool Congress, over the question of Narendra Modi's resignation are bound to find a reflection in Parliament as well.

Consultations at various levels between leaders of the Opposition parties were held throughout the day to finalise the strategy to be adopted in Parliament.

Soon after her return from Guwahati on Saturday evening, the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, held a strategy session with her Parliamentary party managers and senior leaders.

Tomorrow, members from the Left parties, the RJD and the Samata Party will meet the Congress leader, Manmohan Singh, before the sessions commence.

A similar exercise will take place in the Lok Sabha and Congress floor leaders have contacted Somnath Chatterjee and other senior Opposition leaders to calibrate a joint strategy.

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