Storm clouds gather, House opens today for Budget session

The lunch meeting, however, did sort out a few Parliamentary issues, with decisions being taken to ban smoking in the Central Hall and lobbies, telecast zero-hour proceedings and increase the number of standing committees from 16 to 24.

Later, Singh said, ‘‘We are willing to talk to anybody… Parliament is a forum for dialogue and discussion. All political parties, regardless of our differences, should respect the great institution of Parliament and it should be allowed to function smoothly.’’

On the Opposition’s demand for a censure motion against the tainted ministers, Singh said, ‘All matters can be discussed. We can discuss and debate all issues and whatever bothers the Opposition, we are ready to discuss all those issues.’’

On the other hand, former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee asked the Government to change its attitude if it wanted to ensure smooth conduct of Parliament. When asked if the Opposition would disrupt the proceedings, Vajpayee said the situation had come to such a pass that ‘‘we are forced to voice our opposition.’’ He said the Government has attacked democracy by removing the four governors on the basis of their ideology.

The NDA is slated to meet tomorrow to spell out its strategy for the session. However, a boycott of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav’s rail budget speech is a foregone conclusion.

Emerging from the luncheon meeting, BJP Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the Opposition stood firm on its demand for the dismissal of tainted ministers, but offered to consider any proposal from the Government.

Malhotra added that the BJP would like to discuss the dismissal of four governors, issue of tainted ministers, farmers’ suicides, droughts in different parts of the country, Amarnath Yatra, starvation deaths in West Bengal and train dacoities in the two Houses.

Meanwhile, the election of Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson is set to generate considerable excitement. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the Congress should get the post. But the party has to first mobilise the numbers in its favour.