Cricket puts Ayodhya on backseat in LS

Cricket, among other things, seemed to weigh heavy on the minds of parties who had the Ayodhya debate postponed for tomorrow.The discussion ...

Cricket, among other things, seemed to weigh heavy on the minds of parties who had the Ayodhya debate postponed for tomorrow.

The discussion was on the list of business for today in Lok Sabha but was deferred for tomorrow by the Speaker after consulting Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Explaining that she was not aware of why the Opposition wanted the debate to be postponed, Swaraj said: ‘‘I was called by the Speaker where leaders of the Opposition

said that the discussion can be held any other day, on March 3, or 4 or 5, according to our convenience.’’

Officially the leaders stress that considering the tabling of the Railway Budget, the Ayodhya discussion may not get the coverage it deserves in the media.

However, as one leader said: ‘‘It would not send the right message if there is no quorum in Lok Sabha for such a crucial discussion and everyone is in the Central Hall watching cricket.’’

Significantly, all the parties had enough time to consider the problems of having the Ayodhya debate on Railway Budget day.

The date was set up

last week during the Business

Advisory Committee

meeting where all parties are represented.

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February 26 suited Congress because it was after the electioneering in four states, including Himachal Pradesh. It was agreeable to Samajwadi Party which was busy till yesterday with bypolls in Uttar Pradesh.

Also the Prime Minister’s return from the NAM summit and his scheduled reply to the motion of thanks to the President’s address were also reasons behind choosing the date for the Ayodhya debate.

However, most parties woke up to the fact that there might not be enough members in the House due to the cricket match.

A senior leader pointed out, ‘‘Last night the House had to adjourn due to lack of quorum on the discussion on President’s speech. But that was because it was a little too late and it is understandable. There can be no excuse for members missing from Ayodhya debate today.’’

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Following a dialogue with the Congress, Samajwadi Party and CPI(M), Speaker Manohar Joshi said: ‘‘Leaders of all political parties and groups requested me that the short duration discussion on Ayodhya issue be taken up tomorrow after consideration of the motion of thanks (to the President for his address to a joint session of Parliament) was over. I have acceded to their request.’’

The debate now will be held tomorrow afternoon and will be held under Rule 193 which does not entail voting. Law Minister Arun Jaitley will reply to the debate.

It was later decided that the discussion on the Central Vigilance Commission Bill, slated for tomorrow, would be held today. The discussion on Ayodhya would be held tomorrow.