The Left-led 13-party grouping's much-talked plan to force voting on the cut motions against the hike in fuel and urea prices appeared to have lost its punch. Both the Samajwadi Party and the RJD softened their positions suggesting safe passage of the Demands for Grants, reports Indian Express.
After the BSP, the SP and the RJD indicated today that they were not in favour of voting “without a discussion.”
Both Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad indicated to the Left that they plan to stall the Lok Sabha in support of the nationwide hartal called tomorrow by the 13 parties.
While the Left, along with AIADMK, BJD and the TDP, plan to move cut motions and insist for division, the RJD and SP intend to “interrupt” proceedings. And the UPA hopes that this interruption helps avoid any division. And in the din, helps pass the Demand for Grants by a voice vote.
Other parties have directed their members to be present in Parliament but sources said neither the SP nor the RJD have issued a whip.
“When we are observing a nationwide hartal against price rise, we will have to reflect that sentiments inside the House as well,” RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad told The Indian Express.
The 207-member Congress has issued a whip to its members and is banking on the support of 270 MPs. It has been emboldened by the SP-RJD's softening of stand stemming from reservation over voting with the BJP.
This has created fissures in the newly formed 13-party grouping. Sources said a meeting of all these parties has been called for tomorrow to arrive at a common stand.
“How can we vote with the BJP?” SP chief whip in Lok Sabha Shailendra Kumar said. However, the Yadav duo, the Left and other members have decided to move amendments to the Finance Bill later and press for voting as well.
CPM's leader in Lok Sabha Basudev Acharia has already submitted notices for annulment of the hike in Customs duty on crude oil and excise duty on petrol and diesel.
“There will be one division definitely,” a top CPM leader said. CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said the SP and the RJD “have not told us anything” about their stand tomorrow. “We will have to see what they do tomorrow,” he said. “We are for voting and we shall ask for division.”
On the other hand, BJD's Arjun Charan Sethi said his party would move cut motions and press for voting. “We have issued a whip,” he said. AIADMK's M Thambidurai said his party has given notices for moving cut motions but not decided on voting.
Sources in the TDP said the party has also issued a whip.
JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda, however, is not likely to be present and he is scheduled to address a rally in Bangalore tomorrow as part of the hartal.
Sources said former Prime Minister and the other MPs of the JD(S) would try to reach the capital by evening. INLD and LJP, the other members of grouping, have no MPs. RLD is yet to take a position on voting.
With a whip issued to all its 21 MPs to be present in Parliament on Tuesday, the BSP is likely to abstain from voting.
“A decision regarding our strategy, remaining absent from voting or supporting the Bill, will be taken by our leader Mayawatiji tomorrow,” said an MP.
“The BSP does not favour many policies of the UPA government but has provided it outside support in the larger national interest and will continue to do so,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance constituents have issued a three-line whip to their MPs to be present in the Lok Sabha for voting on cut motions.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said today that BJP's 115 members, and NDA's 153 MPs (including BJP's allies) would definitely like to register their votes and press for division.
The BJP's apprehension is that SP and RJD, with the BSP, appeared to be have a rethink on their strategy.
In contrast to the walkout staged by a combined Opposition when the Budget was being presented — RJD and SP leading the Opposition brigade — Mulayam was today seen arguing with Swaraj after the House was adjourned for the day.
