New Delhi,Feb. 21: Promising to make the forthcoming Budget Session of Parliament, beginning on Monday, a stormy one, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, the main Opposition grouping, on Sunday decided to bring an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha and demand the suspension of Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha on February 23 in protest against the rise in prices. It has also decided to press for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and external affairs minister S.M. Krishna to come clear before the two Houses on the proposed talks with Pakistan on February 25.
While deciding on the NDA’s action plan in both Houses of Parliament, the leaders at a meeting of the NDA constituents also elected senior BJP leader L.K. Advani as the Opposition alliance’s working chairman till incumbent Atal Behari Vajpayee recovers from ill-health. It also unanimously approved the elevation of JD(U) president Sharad Yadav as its full-time convenor, who till now had been working in an “acting” capacity.Speaking to the media after the meeting, BJP Rajya Sabha deputy leader S.S. Ahluwalia said: “On February 23, the NDA will bring an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha and demand suspension of the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of price rise.” The government, on its part, has indicated that it was prepared for a discussion on the price rise issue and that a decision on its timing would be taken at the meeting of the business advisory committee of the Lok Sabha on Monday. “Our attitude will be accommodative. We are always prepared for... structured discussions on any subject,” parliamentary affairs minister P.K. Bansal said. Expressing concern over India initiating the proposed talks with Pakistan, the BJP indicated that it would seek clarification from the government on the issue. Mr Ahluwalia said: “The BJP feels the UPA government is deviating from India’s policy on Jammu and Kashmir. In 1994, a resolution was passed in Parliament that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India. The Prime Minister and the minister for external affairs should clarify in Parliament that they will abide by the 1994 resolution.” Other issues to be raised by NDA during the session include the Naxalite menace, the Ranganath Committee report recommending reservations for Muslims, the issue of autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir as suggested by the Saghir Ahmed Committee report and the Pune blast earlier this month.Announcing the decision to elect Mr Advani as the NDA’s working chairman and Mr Yadav as convenor, Mr Ahluwalia said: “Mr Yadav wished speedy recovery to Mr Vajpayee and moved a resolution proposing the name of Mr Advani as working chairman of the BJP-led NDA coalition.” The proposal was seconded by Manohar Joshi (Shiv Sena), Naresh Gujral (Shiromani Akali Dal) and BJP president Nitin Gadkari. It was endorsed unanimously by all those present at the meeting. For Mr Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj moved the resolution, and it was accepted unanimously.He said a suggestion should be given to the Election Commission to ensure that byelections are not held whenever Parliament or the state Assemblies are in session as most of the MPs and MLAs get busy campaigning for their parties.
Age Correspondent