Break over, PM’s presence to spark House fireworks

New Delhi: Daggers have been drawn as Parliament resumes after a four-day break with the government having decided to go for the jugular, promising that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present in both the Houses for the next three days and treasury benches will lead the demonetisation debate. Both BJP and Congress have issued a three-line whip asking all its MPs to be present on the last three days.

The government, which has engaged in furious back-channel negotiations with the Opposition but failed to break the deadlock, has accused the Congress, Left and Trinamul Congress of shifting goalposts and wanting only their own leaders (read Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi) to be heard.

Information and broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that the Prime Minister would be present in Parliament for the remaining three days of the Winter Session.

His remarks come in the background of Opposition’s demand for Mr Modi’s presence in the House during the debate on demonetisation and discussion under a rule which entails voting. The session, which was called early with a view to pass the crucial GST bill, has seen much acrimony over demonetisation.

Sources said that after the Opposition parties failed to keep their word to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to resume debate last Thursday, the government is determined to control the narrative and doesn’t want Mr Gandhi to hijack the debate.

The Congress on its part has all plans of making Mr Gandhi be the first speaker if a debate happens. Senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said his party wanted the discussion last Friday itself but it was disallowed by the ruling side.