As Parliament settles down to its winter session, a range of issues awaits its attention
Hanging of Afzal Guru: The BJP has taken up the issue in Parliament and outside, demanding the execution of the death sentence of the man who masterminded the terrorist attack on Parliament. Undeterred by the fact that its own NDA allies did not join its demonstration opposing clemency to Guru, the party intends to launch an onslaught against the Congress even though the matter lies in the domain of the President who is looking into the mercy petition filed by Guru or the Court which sentenced him to death.
Arunachal Pradesh issue: The Chinese claim to the northeastern state, has given the BJP another handle to attack the UPA regime with. The party may demand a Parliamentary resolution stating that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India — a demand the Centre cannot accede without compromising its efforts to enhance its ties with its neighbours.
Farmer’s suicides, price rise, SEZs, sealing: All issues that threaten to puncture the Congress’s claim to represent the interests of the common man, including farmers, the middle classes and the trading community. In the face of such challenges, the ruling party has, in fact, stopped using the term ‘aam aadmi’ that was the core theme of its 2004 election campaign. The issue of a rollback of petroleum prices is part of the Left and BJP’s campaign against the Congress-led UPA regime.
Women’s Reservation: The Bill will finally be introduced in Parliament this winter session. And even if RJD’s Lalu Yadav, who has opposed to the bill in its existing form, took the lead in asking for it during the UPA-Left meeting on Wednesday (only to do a flip flop the next day), the votaries of a sub-quota for OBCs and minorities are likely to raise a furore when it is tabled. The Bill will require two-thirds majority to be passed, but before that will be sent to the Standing Committee, which may take its own time to go through it.
{{/usCountry}}Women’s Reservation: The Bill will finally be introduced in Parliament this winter session. And even if RJD’s Lalu Yadav, who has opposed to the bill in its existing form, took the lead in asking for it during the UPA-Left meeting on Wednesday (only to do a flip flop the next day), the votaries of a sub-quota for OBCs and minorities are likely to raise a furore when it is tabled. The Bill will require two-thirds majority to be passed, but before that will be sent to the Standing Committee, which may take its own time to go through it.
{{/usCountry}}Sachar Committee: A heated debate is on the cards once the report is tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Monday.
The BJP will charge the Congress of appeasing the minority community and using it as a vote bank. The Congress and Left’s rejoinder: The findings only vindicate their stand that ameliorative measures are required for this section of the population.