Parliament diary: Sonia leaves ex-sp mp tongue-tied at launch of book on his father
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday asked former Samajwadi Party (SP) member of Parliament Neeraj Shekhar, who resigned from the Rajya Sabha and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a few days ago, how he could be a part of the saffron party when his father — India’s eight Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar — had fought against the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the BJP’s predecessor party. The incident occurred ahead of the launch of a biography of Chandra Shekhar by Prime Minister Modi in the Parliament auditorium. Neeraj, who was at a loss for words, later told some of his colleagues that Mrs Gandhi was upset by his decision.
Cong distances itself from rest of opp. on national security issues
These days, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has been demanding division of votes on the introduction and passing of several bills such as the NIA (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. The Congress, on the other hand, has decided that it should not be seen as opposing the government on the issue of national security as senior leaders think that the liberal line taken by the party on security issues ahead of the Lok Sabha poll played a role in its poor showing. Now, when most Opposition parties are demanding that at least seven bills be sent to select committees, Congress was opposed to sending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill to a select committee. Therefore, the party staged a walkout before formal voting commenced.
Opp, govt to find compromise formula to send bills to select committee
The government has not officially announced the extension of the ongoing budget session for another two weeks. There was no mention of it even in the business advisory committee meeting. Opposition parties have been demanding that at least seven bills be sent to a select committee. Though the outfits know all their demands will not be accepted by the government, they are trying to finalise a minimum of four bills that are non-negotiable for them. On Thursday, all the Opposition parties will meet in the chamber of Ghulam Nabi Azad to finalise their demands. The government, however, has not indicated to the Opposition whether it will agree to send the bills to the select committee.
