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While the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is yet to decide whether to bring an ordinance or call for a special session of Parliament to discuss the food security Bill, the Opposition is equally undecided.
Although Bharatiya Janata Party leaders view the food Bill as an attempt by the Congress to woo voters before the 2014 general elections, they don't want to be seen as opposing the Bill in Parliament. They want certain changes and have already suggested to the Union government to either advance the monsoon session or wait till the coming Parliament session to debate the Bill.
However, the dilemma for the BJP is that its house is not order. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Janata Dal (United) - members of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) - have raised serious doubts about the food Bill.
SAD, an old member of NDA, has suggested the Bill is not needed at all and NDA partners should reject the Bill both inside and outside Parliament.
"There is no need for a new Bill to provide food to the people. It is just an attempt by the Congress party to win votes and this move should be completely rejected. There is the Public Distribution System, which is already available before the government. Why not strengthen it and provide food to the people? We are opposed to the idea," said Naresh Gujral, a SAD leader.
The party also opposes another crucial legislation, the Land Acquisition Bill, while BJP leaders have given an in-principle support for it as well as the food Bill. BJP leaders are ready to work with the UPA government if their concerns are addressed and suggestions incorporated in the two Bills.
The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government is also not very keen on the food Bill. Senior JD(U) leaders believe it will burden the state government further and the Union government will not take any responsibility.
Senior JD(U) leaders have already expressed their opposition to bringing an ordinance to pass the Bill. They want the UPA to advance the monsoon session to discuss the Bill.
"There are concerns about transportation and distribution. Also, who will bear the cost? The Bihar government is worried about it. There is no clarity on the beneficiaries of this scheme as well. We want this Bill to be discussed in greater details and the concerns of the state government addressed. This is such an important Bill; how can the government go ahead without answering the concerns of the states?" asked Shivanand Tiwari, a senior leader of JD(U).
