BJP adjournment motion on hike in kerosene, LPG prices

To pre-empt any government move to reject an adjournment motion on the grounds that the issue is not of "recent occurrence", BJP today said it will give notice for the same on rise in prices of kerosene and LPG which was effected after the last Parliament session.

To pre-empt any government move to reject an adjournment motion on the grounds that the issue is not of "recent occurrence", BJP on Monday said it will give notice for the same on rise in prices of kerosene and LPG which was effected after the last Parliament session.

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During the Budget session, the government had argued in Lok Sabha that an adjournment motion on price rise could not be accepted as Parliament rules require that the issue should be a "recent occurrence" and not an old issue. The UPA had contended that price rise had been a continuous phenomenon.

"We will give a notice on Tuesday in the Lok Sabha for an adjournment motion on the rise in prices of kerosene and LPG cylinders which were announced after the Budget session of Parliament got over," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said.

Almost the whole opposition seems united on the issue of price rise with the Left parties, BJD, JD(U), AIADMK among others, moving separate adjournment motions on it. Even RJD is planning to move an adjournment motion while BSP may demand a debate, sources said.

Even the Trinamool Congress and DMK, which are part of the government, are keen on a debate on this issue.

Interestingly, the opposition parties also want voting on the sensitive issue to "expose those parties which keep talking about price rise but do not vote against the government".

The Left parties want to see which way Trinamool Congress votes on the issue. Similarly, the JD(U) is interested in what stand RJD takes on the subject.

The adjournment motion has been moved under Rule 56 which requires voting on the issue.

"Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party chief Sharad Yadav can raise the issue during the forthcoming assembly elections in the state if Lalu Prasad does not vote against price rise," a senior BJP leader said.

BJP will issue a whip to its MPs in the Lower House when voting takes place on price rise, Swaraj said.

The main opposition also wants the Bhopal gas tragedy issue -- which pertains to inadequate compensation to victims -- to be put to vote and will move a resolution in this regard later in the week.

The inclusion of caste in census has the BJP divided, according to party sources. The party is likely to wait till its Core Group meeting to be held on August 6 to take a call. The Opposition has to send a letter to the government about its stand on the issue by August 7.