Govt, Cong sharpen claws for fight over key Land bill

The government and the Congress are readying for a battle in Parliament next week on the controversial land acquisition bill slated for debate and passing in the Lok Sabha on Monday-Tuesday and its consideration in the Rajya Sabha at the weekend.

The ruling BJP is placating its allies opposed to the Ordinance that is to be replaced by the Bill by suggesting half a dozen amendments to protect the interests of the farmer land owners.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has convened a meeting of the party MPs on Monday evening to fight out the Bill in Parliament and then take the issue to the people. The meeting was shifted from the usual morning hours to the evening, triggering speculation that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi may also turn up, ending his “sabbatical” leave.

While the government is desperate to meet the deadline of April 5 for passage of the Bills related to all six Ordinances brought by it as otherwise they lapse, the Congress has decided to oppose the insurance bill to ensure the Opposition unity developed in the Rajya Sabha does not flounder.

The government is toying with the idea of three, four more sittings in the first half of the session instead of closing it on March 20 for resumption on April 20 as it will give enough time to get all the Ordinance-related Bills passed before the Ordinances lapse on completion of six weeks to the start of the session as envisaged in the Constitution.

It has listed the land acquisition bill for consideration on Monday and Tuesday.