Day left, RS remains deadlocked

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 22

The Rajya Sabha witnessed yet another day of stalemate over the faith conversions issue. In fact, united Opposition leaders did not even allow BJP ministers to respond to their allegations, let alone permit them to transact any legislative business, including clearing the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill, 2014, which has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu’s plea that the Bill concerned lakhs of people in unauthorised colonies of Delhi went unheeded. “I appeal to the entire House. There is one important Bill, which is pending. Its timeframe is December 31. It concerns lakhs of people in unauthorised colonies, give permission to take it up,” he urged.

Later outside the House, Opposition sources indicated that they may allow the government to clear the Bill tomorrow, the last day of the Parliament session. However, the fate of other important legislations, including the Insurance Laws Amendment Bill 2008 and the Coal Bill (Special Provisions) Bill 2014, remains uncertain. Both the Bills, along with the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2014, were listed for consideration today.

Riding high on sheer strength of their numbers in the Rajya Sabha Opposition leaders have been able to have their way. Opposition leaders today accused the Narendra Modi government of “not fulfilling the promises of bringing back black money and creating jobs” and instead focusing on “ghar wapsi” (faith re-conversion) campaigns.

JD-U’s Sharad Yadav said the government’s focus was on “ghar wapsi” campaigns instead of fulfilling the promises made to people ahead of the elections.

BSP chief Mayawati also condemned RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement on conversion issue.