Farmers Movement Archive

On eve of Parl session, Trinamool’s isues find support from oppn parties

Kolkata: A day before Parliament commences, Trinamool Congress on Sunday has got a shot in the arm with most issues it raised finding resonance with opposition parties and even those issues that have a direct bearing on Bengal being raised by the opposition at an all-party meeting held in New Delhi. The Naveen Pattanaik-led BJD, for instance, pushed for an Odisha legislative council; three parties brought up the 10th schedule relating to disqualification of MPs for defecting, and Samajwadi Party was critical of the role of governors. Trinamool also found support when it shot down the Centre’s proposal for the prime minister to address party leaders in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Covid. “We want a discussion on Covid, not outside Parliament but inside, on the floor of Parliament,” said party’s Rajya Sabha leader and spokesperson Derek O’Brien. Covid and inadequate vaccine supplies to Bengal remain key issues over which Trinamool will serve notice for discussion in both Houses. “This suggestion is only an attempt to bypass Parliament,” Derek added. Other opposition parties, including Congress, Left parties, SP and AAP, expressed views similar to Trinamool’s, sources said. On issues that have a direct bearing on Bengal being raised by other parties, sources said BJD pressed for introduction and passing of the Odisha legislative council bill in Parliament. The Bengal assembly has passed a similar resolution that needs to be passed by Parliament. Likewise, TRS, YSR Congress and BSP raised the issue of 10th schedule. This has a direct bearing on the ongoing defection proceedings against two Lok Sabha MPs in Bengal — Sisir Adhikari and Sunil Mondal — who moved from Trinamool to BJP. SP’s Ram Gopal Verma didn’t name the Bengal or Maharashtra governors, sources said, but his “scathing attack” on their roles to undermine elected state governments made it amply clear who he was referring to. Trinamool said on Day 1 of the Parliament session on Monday, it would raise the fuel price rise issue. In a first, party MPs in Delhi will protest by riding bicycles. It was not clear when the party would file a notice demanding a discussion on it. In the seven-point agenda for the 19-day Parliament session, apart from fuel price hike, Trinamool will also raise the issue of repeated attempts to undermine federal structure, motivated functioning of central agencies, repeal of farm laws, releasing MPLAD funds, and inadequate vaccines. The party will serve notices to press for discussions on these issues. Trinamool leaders have also been able to stitch together a broader convergence among parties on parliamentary procedures. “We want the bills to be scrutinised by parliamentary committees. It is a mere 11% now; it should be increased to 50%. Also, there should be short-duration discussions and calling attention motions once every week. On this issue, every opposition party agrees,” an opposition leader said.

The Times of India

2021-07-19

Kolkata