The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Softer on debate, Cong yet to convince rest
WITH JUST four working days left in the winter session, the Congress indicated Thursday it was willing to debate demonetisation in Lok Sabha without pushing for a rule that entails voting. A debate is possible Friday, a top Congress leader said.
Not all Opposition parties may, however, be on board. The Congress leader gave that indication by saying the party does not want to break Opposition unity. Opposition leaders will meet Friday to review floor strategy.
“We have changed our tactics... Let’s have a discussion and then we can move a resolution demanding a vote,” the Congress leader told The Indian Express.
The rules, however, say the Opposition cannot demand a resolution be put to vote in the event of a simple discussion. The initial Congress demand was for a debate under rule 56 (suspending all business) or rule 184. The Congress remains clear that the government should suspend all business to start the discussion, sources said.
Rahul Gandhi will speak if the discussion takes places Friday. Congress MPS had been telling the leadership that the Opposition is losing the narrative and face because of the continuing disruption and it is time the party put across its view on the floor of the House.
The Congress continued to blame the government for the standoff. “Responsibility of running the House is that of the government and the Speaker, not the Opposition. We want to have discussion. We want voting but the government does not. Because they knew that even BJP people will also vote in our favour,” Rahul said.
On a day President Pranab Mukherjee spoke strongly against Parliament disruption, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said he agreed with the President but echoes Rahul in holding the ruling party responsible. “It is the responsibility of the ruling party to run the House and not that of the Opposition party and I must say that the ruling party is the one which is instrumental in disturbing the House,” he said.