Parties put Budget before politics

NEW DELHI, APRIL 19: In a rare display of non-partisan concern, leaders of all major groups decided that all financial matters, including...

NEW DELHI, APRIL 19: In a rare display of non-partisan concern, leaders of all major groups decided that all financial matters, including the general and the railway Budget, will be taken up and passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday without any amendment. This crucial decision, which allays some of the deepening uncertainty after the government8217;s fall, was taken at an all-party meeting in the chambers of Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi this morning.

Leader of Opposition in the House Sharad Pawar told reporters that the Budget would be passed in toto. However, he added that the new government would 8220;have the right to amend any proposal in the Budget at a later date.8221; The decision of the Congress comes after party chief Sonia Gandhi, on Saturday itself, had appointed a three-man team to discuss the passage of the Budget.

Earlier, BJP spokesman Venkaiah Naidu made it clear that the caretaker government would not move the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha if any amendments were brought in by other parties. Thatseemed to have settled the dispute8211;at least for now.

At 11 a.m., the Lok Sabha began its proceedings but slogan-shouting soon took precedence over everything. The immediate target was RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav. The Treasury benches, shouting Atalji ko vapas lao, wanted to know what was happening with the 8220;alternative Government.8221;

8220;Laloo said it would be formed within a minute. Where is it?8221; many of them were heard asking.

The meeting in Balayogi8217;s chamber was attended by representatives of, besides the BJP and the Congress, Samata Party, TDP, CPIM, CPI, National Conference the expelled member Saifuddin Soz attended the meeting and the BSP.

During the meeting, Balayogi reminded that the leaders that Parliament had always had the tradition of transacting essential financial business on a priority basis in times of transition. 8220;I would appeal to all of you to give your highest consideration with the highest common measure of agreement, for completing the essential financialbusiness,8221; he said. The Speaker said that after the vote of confidence, he called on the President and got the impression that 8220;he is keen on essential financial business being transacted and concluded by the house on priority basis, in view of its obvious implications on the economy.8221;