Fears there’s not enough support for important legislations.
The next session of Parliament, scheduled from October 17 to November 21, may be cut short as Congress managers feel that even such a long sitting will not be of any help in clearing the many pending legislation. The reason: Political opposition.
After the Left’s withdrawal of support, the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) doesn’t enjoy a majority in the Rajya Sabha. In the Lok Sabha, although the coalition proved its majority comfortably in the July 22 trust vote, alliance managers say it will be difficult to muster such numbers every time a Bill is put to vote as there are so many small parties and independents supporting the government.
While a number of economic reform Bills on the Congress agenda are pending, getting the support of the allies on these measures may be difficult. Especially as many bigger Congress allies may take a tough stand on reforms in the finance and banking sectors in the light of the coming general elections.
The government’s main agenda for the session will be the passing of the Supplementary Demands for Grants. The rural development ministry has already sought Rs 8,000 crore for the National Rural Employment Guarantee programme. These grants will in all likelihood see smooth passage as they involve smooth running of ministries and payment of statutory dues and wages. Sources say the main aim of the government is to place itself in a position from where it can call general elections at a time of its chosing in the next six months. That is, the government will try to dispose of most of the urgent business during the session.
The Congress also feels that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will rake up some issue or the other to disrupt the proceedings just to mark its opposition. In case the opposition resorts to continuous disruption, the UPA will not press for a full session, say sources in the alliance.
