The political storm over a Trinamool Minister’s arrest coupled with the Left’s plan to delay the passage of the Insurance Bill, with the backing of the Congress, may see another round of prolonged disruptions in Rajya Sabha from Monday.
The government managers, however, are confident of passing a number of legislations. They have drawn up a long list of bills of 12 bills including the Insurance Bill and the Goods and Services Tax bill for the remaining seven working days of the ongoing winter session.
The parliament session is slated till December 23.
The Opposition parties are demanding that the Upper House, where they enjoy a majority over the NDA, “must discuss before anything else” the re-conversion row in Uttar Pradesh and related communal issues.
The Left, which is coordinating closely with the Congress, wants the resolution to cut the excise duties on petrol also be discussed as a priority. “We have made it clear that the no legislative agenda should be taken up before the resolution is debated,” said CPI(M) MP P Rajeev.
Sources added that senior CPI(M) leaders are in touch with top Congress leadership on how to delay the passage of the insurance bill. “What is the hurry to pass the Insurance Bill? Will it be a New Year gift to the US President when he comes to India?” asked a leader after parties like TMC, Left, SP and JD(U) failed to stall the Bill in the Select Committee.
Sources added that senior CPI(M) leaders are in touch with top Congress leadership on how to delay the passage of the insurance bill. “What is the hurry to pass the Insurance Bill? Will it be a New Year gift to the US President when he comes to India?” asked a leader after parties like TMC, Left, SP and JD(U) failed to stall the Bill in the Select Committee.
The Trinamool, facing the heat over the arrest of West Bengal transport minister by the CBI over Sharada scam, is likely to adopt an attacking mode in parliament. The party is opposing the Insurance Act (amendment) Bill that envisages 49% foreign investment.
The Left-sponsored resolution to curb the excise duties on petrol is aimed to attract other political parties as it involves concerns of the vast middle-class. A voting on the resolution in Rajya Sabha is set to unite the Opposition that recently flexed its collective strength over union minister Niranjan Jyoti’s “ramzaade, haramzaade” remarks.