Government seeks cooperation for passing bills under Telangana shadow

Asked if the government will present a vote-on-account or an interim budget ahead of the general elections expected in April-May, he said the "vote-on-account will be for four months".

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj said her party will support the passage of the bills if the government ensures orderly functioning of the two houses.

The government cannot blame the opposition for disruptions as its own members have been protesting on the issue of Telangana, she said, adding the Congress-led government's grip was not only slipping "over the country but also on its own chief ministers and MPs".

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury, noting the government had 39 bills on its agenda in 12 days of business, asked it how it will ensure orderly conduct in the two houses in the wake of the conflicting views of its own members on Telangana.

JD-U leader Sharad Yadav said the government should get the financial bills passed between Feb 12 and Feb 21 as passage of other bills "looks difficult in the prevailing conditions", while SP leader Ramgopal Yadav also said that "only financial bills should be brought" by the government.