Date:25/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/25/stories/2006072506850100.htm

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Stormy start to session

Special Correspondent

Opposition forces adjournment

Focus on issues of terrorism, price rise
Advani ignores Speaker's query whether he would allow the House to run

Opposition played foul despite promises: Government

NEW DELHI: The monsoon session of Parliament began on a stormy note in the Lok Sabha on Monday, with the Opposition forcing a daylong adjournment over terrorism and price rise. This happened despite Speaker Somnath Chatterjee's assurance that he would admit an adjournment motion on the Mumbai blasts immediately after question hour.

For nearly half-an-hour, the Opposition held up the proceedings, demanding suspension of question hour to discuss the price rise.

It refused to pay heed to his reminders that the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders had agreed to allow question hour.The National Democratic Alliance members emptied out into the well of the House, shouting slogans against the Government. Leader of the Opposition L. K. Advani turned a deaf ear to Mr. Chatterjee's question whether he would allow the House to run.

`No,' says Dasmunsi

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, after a quick discussion with the Leader of the House, Pranab Mukherjee, and other United Progressive Alliance leaders, said: "We will not concede to their notice for adjournment."

As the Opposition showed no sign of relenting, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

Later, the United Progressive Alliance leaders said what angered them most was that despite pre-session meetings, and both the Government and the Speaker agreeing to take up all issues listed as priority by the Opposition to be discussed under whatever rule they wanted, the Opposition had played foul.

Some ruling party leaders pointed out that the BJP knew very well that the former External Affairs Minister, Jaswant Singh's book, A Call To Honour, had derailed the Opposition's ``Government-is-soft-on-terrorism-plank'' by once again focusing attention on the manner in which three hardcore terrorists in Indian jails had been handed over to the Taliban and given safe passage in 1999.

Notice today

The BJP leaders have decided to give notice for another adjournment motion on Tuesday but Mr. Dasmunsi let it be known that nothing would be agreed to which was not under the rules.

He charged the Opposition with finding one excuse or another every session to stall the proceedings, instead of facing the debate they wanted.

"It is for the Speaker, not the Minister, to agree or disagree," said V.K. Malhotra, deputy leader of the Opposition.