Date:17/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/17/stories/2008071755101200.htm

National

Trinamool, Congress oppose debate on nuclear deal

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: Legislators of the Trinamool Congress and the Congress walked out of the West Bengal Assembly separately on Wednesday in protest against Speaker H.A. Halim’s decision to allow discussions on the India-U.S. nuclear deal on Thursday.

While the Trinamool said a discussion on the deal under Rule 185 was “undemocratic and unparliamentary” as the main Opposition had not been consulted, the Congress contended that it would not be proper as the UPA government had already called a trust vote on the issue in the Lok Sabha for July 22.

The Speaker said it was agreed upon, at a Business Advisory Committee meeting earlier in the day, to hold discussions on the deal. Trinamool representatives boycotted the meeting.

“The motion has been allowed without informing us,” Leader of the Opposition Partha Chatterjee told The Hindu. “It has been thrust into the business schedule in the middle of the budget session and this was undemocratic.” There is a separate day for discussions on non-official motions; these should not be taken up in the midst of the budget session, said Congress Legislature Party leader Manas Bhunia.