The CPI’s Gurudas Dasgupta wants the Winter Session of Parliament to be extended fearing that government business — 31 bills for passage — may find it difficult as the session has only 17 sittings.
Speaker Meira Kumar, who chaired the meeting held in Parliament house, however, said that the general refrain of the parties was that the session should run smoothly and they have promised their cooperation. Describing the discussions in the all-party meeting as “very fruitful”, Ms Kumar said all leaders were “very keen” that the House transacts all business, including the passage of bills during the 21-day session.
She said the Opposition parties came out with 45 issues that they wanted to be discussed during the session, though some of the parties felt that the session’s duration is too short to take up so many issues.
The Opposition is planning to target the government on issues like corruption, price rise, Lokpal and caste census through various ways, including adjournment motions.
Most parties favoured passage of the Lokpal Bill in this session but emphasised that it should be done only after following due parliamentary process.
Though the Speaker said there was no demand to extend the number of sittings, JD(U) president and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav told reporters that he has given a suggestion to extend the session, a demand which was supported by RJD chief Lalu Yadav as well.
The JD(U) will also give a notice for discussion on price rise.
The NDA will finalise its strategy on floor coordination and adjournment motions in its November 21 meeting after which the BJP will also reach out to other parties to arrive at an understanding on taking on the government.
The Left also indicated that talks are on to arrive at a floor coordination with other Opposition parties on certain issues.
The Opposition plans to raise issues like Centre-state relations, corruption in MNREGA, paid news, the government’s move to allow 26 per cent FDI in pension, the report of the Centre’s interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir, non-procurement of paddy and crime against women.
The BJP is all set to make a big issue out of the Prime Minister’s “Man of Peace” remark for his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani as well as the controversy surrounding the grant of Most Favoured Nation status to India.
Minister of state for parliamentary affairs Rajiv Shukla said the government is ready for discussion on all issues.