Ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament commencing on February 23, leaders of the ruling NDA met at parliamentary affairs minister M.
Ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament commencing on February 23, leaders of the ruling NDA met at parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu’s residence to discuss their strategy as the Opposition is gearing up to corner the Narendra Modi-led government over issues including atrocities on dalits, the Pathankot airbase attack, President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh and the Gujarat land deal row. Sources disclosed that some BJP allies, including the Shiv Sena and the SAD, complained about the lack of coordination between the ruling alliance partners. It could be recalled that the Shiv Sena had raised this issue last year also during a meeting of NDA partners chaired by the PM when the latter had suggested that NDA leaders should meet regularly.
With the Assembly elections in Kerala, West Bengal, Manipur, Assam and Puducherry also lined up, the session could see political parties raking up issues concerning these states which are currently ruled by non-NDA governments. With key bills, including the goods and services tax (GST), pending in Parliament and indications coming from the main opposition Congress that it will not let important legislations pass without its concerns being met, the coming Budget Session is going to be stormy. The Prime Minister had recently attacked the Congress for being responsible for disruptions in Parliament and stalling important legislative business and reforms in the Rajya Sabha where the government is in a minority. Sources disclosed that government managers are in touch with leaders of Opposition parties but the ruling alliance could face a united Opposition on issues.
BJP president Amit Shah, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, SAD’s Sukhbir Badal, Naresh Gujral and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Apna Dal’s Anupriya Patel, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj also attended the meeting.
In an indication that the session could be stormy, the Congress on Monday said that the Prime Minister should not expect the Opposition to “bend over backwards” when “so many charges are in the public domain”.
Accusing Mr Modi of “completely and absolutely failing to show statesmanship” in ensuring smooth conduct of Parliament, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said the government is trying to browbeat the Opposition by charging it with disrupting House proceedings.
However, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi expressed hope that the session would not be a washout.
He, however, attacked the Congress for its “attitude” during the last two sessions. “Due to the Congress’ attitude in the last two sessions, '200 crore and 131 hours were wasted, though all the MPs from treasury benches were assuring the Opposition that the government was ready to discuss all issues,” Mr Naqvi said.
