Centre ready for storm ahead during winter session

The government is confident it can shake off any challenge the Opposition is likely to throw its way during the winter session, reports Aloke Tikku.

With only days remaining before Parliament meets for its winter session, the government is confident it can shake off any challenge the Opposition is likely to throw its way.

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Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister PR Dasmunsi said, “The opposition has every right to bring an adjournment motion or any other motion and the government has every capacity to counter it.”

The winter session of Parliament, which begins on November 22, will be stormy with the Opposition likely to raise a host of prickly issues including the sealing drive in Delhi, the violence during local body elections in Uttar Pradesh and the government’s response to the Supreme Court judgement on skimming the creamy layer off the OBC quota.

The government, on its part, will come up with a definite agenda of businesses to be transacted in the course of the session. On Friday, the parliamentary affairs ministry will convene a meeting with other ministries to interact on their plans.

Dasmunsi said Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee will hold his customary pre-session meetings with various parties to ensure smooth conduct of the House from Saturday. The Speaker will meet leaders of the BJP-led NDA at breakfast on Saturday and host dinner meeting for Congress leaders, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on Sunday.

The winter session is slated to conclude on December 19.

Email atikku@hindustantimes.com