Take Opposition head-on, Modi tells his MPs

Bracing for a stormy Budget Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday pinned hopes on a constructive approach from the Opposition, even as he asked NDA MPs to take the Opposition head-on on the JNU issue, which is listed to come up in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The issue came up for discussion during the BJP parliamentary party executive meeting and also the NDA leaders’ meeting. The Prime Minister, it was learnt, said that the ruling alliance leaders should not be seen on the backfoot on the issue and that MPs should debate aggressively.

A short-duration discussion on the “situation arising in Central institutions of higher education with specific reference to Jawaharlal Nehru University and University of Hyderabad” is listed to come up in the Upper House. The Opposition as well as NDA MPs have given notices for discussion on the issue.

Talking to the media earlier, Mr Modi said he was counting on “friends” from the Opposition parties who had shown a “positive” attitude during various interactions in the run-up to the Budget Session. Apparently aware that the Opposition would not give any breathing space to the government in the backdrop of raging issues, like the JNU row, the Rohith Vemula suicide and the violent Haryana Jat agitation for reservation, the Prime Minister remarked that his opponents should severely criticise the government and highlight its shortcomings.

He asserted that it will strengthen democracy. Mr Modi also reminded that the government had taken a number of steps to reach out to leaders of the Opposition parties.

“The eyes of 125 crore countrymen are focused on Parliament, the Rail Budget and the General Budget. The world is also paying attention to the Budget Session due to India’s position in the global economy today. There has been discussion with parties for the last many days,” he said.

Mr Modi also said that there had been “one-on-one talks” with leaders of the Opposition parties in the run-up to the Budget Session. “I am sure Parliament will be utilised for constructive debate and there will be intensive discussion on the country’s hope and aspirations,” he said.