New Delhi: There seems to be a breakthrough in the efforts to end Parliament deadlock as the government has managed to get the Opposition on board to pass the Finance Bill. Sources say that the Finance Bill is likely to be taken up on Tuesday along with demands for grants.
The demands for grants for four ministries were agreed upon in consultation with Opposition parties.
This came after Parliamentary Affairs Minister met Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj to gain a consensus on the crucial Finance Bill.
Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar also held an all-party meeting to break the deadlock.
The deadlock in Parliament has been continuing as the Opposition has resfused to relent from its demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Law Minister Ashwani Kumar’s resignation over the 2G scam and coal scam. Sources say that the Finance Bill is likely to be taken up on Tuesday along with demands for grants.
The government earlier on Monday appealed to the Opposition to allow Parliament to function and said it was the right forum to discuss all issues.
“I appeal to the opposition to let the house function. We have lost five days and I appeal to parties that parliament is the right forum for debate,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said.
Both houses have seen repeated disruptions by the opposition parties over issues related to allocations in coal blocks and 2G spectrum.
The BJP has said it won’t let parliament function till Prime Minister Manmohan Singh resigns over his office’s alleged involvement in irregularities in the allocations.
Nath, meanwhile, in an interview with a private TV channel, had dared the Opposition to move a no confidence motion on the floor of the house.
“Is that the right kind of opposition? Even if it hurts the people, let’s suppose, is that the kind of parliamentary democracy we want? And we must remember that they don’t like the government to vote it out,” he said. Nath had even visited BJP veteran leader LK Advani to seek cooperation for the passage of the Finance Bill.
“Parliament getting adjourned frequently is not good for democracy. Government should give answer and now just blame the opposition,” CPI leader D Raja said. (Agencies)