After conceding its demand for a discussion and voting on the price rise issue, main opposition BJP was again pushed on the back foot today when it had to withdraw a similar notice on the Bhopal gas tragedy and agree to a simple debate on the subject.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj had given a notice to the government under Rule 184, which entails discussion and voting, on the Bhopal gas tragedy and "inadequate compensation" to the victims and their kin.
However, in the Business Advisory Committee meeting of the Lok Sabha held today, BJP found itself isolated when other parties and the government insisted that the issue be dealt with under Rule 193 which envisages only a discussion and no voting.
"The Bhopal gas tragedy issue will be discussed in Lok Sabha next week under Rule 193," Munde told reporters.
Party sources said Swaraj was informed about the change only after the BAC meeting and though she was taken aback, she agreed.
BJP had earlier demanded a discussion under Rule 184 in Lok Sabha on price rise when the government and the Speaker refused to accept an adjournment motion moved by the opposition. However, this was also turned down leading to a logjam last week.
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The main opposition will now withdraw its present notice given under Rule 184 - which was strongly worded and demanded that the earlier compensation ordered for Bhopal gas tragedy victims and their kin be cancelled and a revised one issued. A much diluted notice will now be given.
"We will give another notice to the government under Rule 193 which will only state that the Bhopal gas tragedy and issues related to it be discussed," Swaraj said.
Swaraj will open the debate on Bhopal gas tragedy while her fellow MPs from Madhya Pradesh Kailash Joshi and Narendra Singh Tomar will be the other speakers on the issue for BJP.
BJP is pressing for a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the deteriorating law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir this week. M M Joshi will initiate the debate on the party's behalf.
In the BAC meeting of the Lok Sabha today, BJP and the government agreed for a discussion on "misuse" of CBI and corruption in Commonwealth Games projects next week. However, dates have not yet been fixed.
Ananth Kumar will initiate the debate on "misuse" of CBI for the BJP while former cricketer-turned-MP Kirti Azad will lead his party on the Commonwealth Games discussions. Hamirpur MP and BJP Youth wing president Anurag Thakur will also speak on the alleged bunglings in the CWG projects.
The Commonwealth Games issue may bring the opposition together again. "Though no common strategy has been chalked out by the opposition on this issue but the whole opposition is of the opinion that it should be discussed," Swaraj said.