Winter session nears end sans business

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 11

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has slammed the Opposition for disrupting Parliament on demonetisation, saying he was not being allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha due to which he decided to speak in “jan sabhas” (public events).

The Congress and its vice-president Rahul Gandhi have also been making the same charge against the BJP-led government. “If they allow me to speak in Parliament, you will see an earthquake occur,” Rahul said on Friday, but outside the Lok Sabha of which he is a member.

There are only three days left before the winter session of Parliament ends on December 16. The question, therefore, is whether any of the warring sides will consider it worthwhile to make its political point inside Parliament. Especially when they can make a bigger and better impact by speaking outside?

The government says it is ready for debate on demonetisation, but not under preconditions like the PM’s mandatory presence during the debate in the Rajya Sabha. The Opposition also says it is ready for discussion, but with certain provisos.

The fate of many key legislative Bills hangs fire due to the continuing logjam in Parliament. Every minute of running a session costs over than Rs 2.5 lakh.

Meanwhile, leaders are indicating a breakthrough in the impasse next week when some important Bills of public interest like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, are expected to be pushed through, “hopefully”.

As the 50-day period sought by the PM draws closer, voices can be heard within the party over the demonetization move, fearing that the BJP could fall prey to “overconfidence”.

There are reports of banks being stoned, ATMs looted and the PM booed at some rallies in UP. “Demonetisation is a bold decision. But whether it is politically smart or foolish is something that remains to be seen,” they say.