If Gujarat can be discussed, why can’t Nandigram: BJP

The Opposition party said Nandigram was not a state issue exclusively as it pertains to acquisition of land for Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is a Central subject.

“Nandigram has witnessed severe crime against women and children and the Lok Sabha has a mandate to discuss issues like this, which amounts to a civil war,” Deputy Leader of the Opposition V K Malhotra said in New Delhi.

Asked whether the demand for discussion on the issue was justified, he shot back, “Why can’t Nandigram be discussed when Gujarat has been discussed several times.”

Malhotra ridiculed West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya for saying that CPM cadres had ‘won over’ a territory in the country. “It is laughable,” the BJP leader said.

On Indo-US nuclear deal, he said there was no change in BJP’s stand and it would press for a discussion under a rule which entails voting.

The Opposition party will also press for discussions on the Telengana statehood issue and paddy prices in Parliament.

These issues were raised by the party in the Business Advisory Committee of Lok Sabha.

The party also came down heavily on the Congress-ruled Delhi government for its ‘inability to provide water for two consecutive days’ and demanded ‘Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s resignation on the issue’.