Cong braces for another stormy session

With ally Left clearly not in so friendly a mood, the UPA government is bracing up for yet another stormy session in Parliament.On the likel...

With ally Left clearly not in so friendly a mood, the UPA government is bracing up for yet another stormy session in Parliament.

On the likelihood of the Left parties, especially the CPIM, playing the Opposition once again during the forthcoming Monsoon session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said: 8216;8216;The Left and the Congress are two different entities. On some issues we have an understanding, that doesn8217;t mean we don8217;t have differences on core issues. They the Left are not going to give up issues they8217;ve been pursuing for years just because they are supporting this government.8217;8217;

Although Azad admitted that the differences with the Left were on core issues, he was quick to add that 8216;8216;the basics are still intact8217;8217; and that 8216;8216;they are supporting this government8217;8217; and will not bring it down.

The Minister also confirmed that the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2005, which the Left is opposing tooth-and-nail, will not come up this session.

On the 50 notices of adjournment motion and discussion on rules that provide for censure of the government put up by the BJP, Azad said, 8216;8216;We are prepared for any discussion, any time, provided there is a consensus in the Business Advisory Committee. We have provided a corruption-free government, why should we have any problem facing discussion?8217;8217;

The Monsoon session will last till August 26 and see a slew of bills, including the UPA8217;s signature legislation 8212; the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, 2004, which aims to provide livelihood security to rural households.

Apart from that, the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 2004 8212; on which UPA member DMK has already expressed strong reservations 8212; is ready for introduction. It seeks to amend the various provisions of IPC, CrPC 1972, Indian Evidence Act, 1972 to prevent witnesses turning hostile. It also provides for pre-trail negotiations between the defendant and the prosecution.