Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called up NDA chairman Atal Behari Vajpayee and Leader of the Opposition L K Advani this morning to avert a paralysis of Parliament’s budget session but failed to make any headway as NDA members disrupted proceedings in both Houses over the tainted ministers’ issue, leading to their adjournment for the day. The Prime Minister told reporters after the Defence investiture at Rashtrapati Bhavan that he had ‘‘repeated’’ his request to Vajpayee and Advani that ‘‘regardless of our differences, we should let Parliament function.’’ He said ‘‘All these issues (of tainted ministers and governors’ removal) can be discussed.’’When asked about their response, Singh said, ‘‘We hope, there is something. Let us see.’’ A reporter said tomorrow was a big day in Parliament (when the Railway Budget is scheduled). The Prime Minister responded by saying, ‘‘Everyday is a big day in Parliament.’’ Sources said that Vajpayee was ‘‘quite understanding’’ when Singh spoke to him. However, Advani told him that his party was very agitated over the governors’ issue. The Prime Minister had called up Advani on Saturday too. The sources said that he wanted to meet with Advani yesterday, but the leader of the opposition was away in Gujarat. The NDA has convened a meeting of its MPs tomorrow morning to finalise its strategy. The NDA is likely to boycott the Rail Budget speech of Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav to hammer the tainted ministers’ issue. However, sources said a large number of NDA members are inclined to participate in the subsequent discussion to articulate problems of their constituencies. Deputy leader of BJP in the Lok Sabha Vijay Kumar Malhotra told reporters after a meeting of NDA leaders today that as of now, they were set to boycott. ‘‘However, if there is a change, we will let you know.’’ He gave an indication of what could be in store after tomorrow’s meeting by saying: ‘‘That (boycott) could be the minimum.’’ Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee also met with leaders of all parties after the adjournment and appealed to them to facilitate a smooth conduct of business. Malhotra said after the meeting: ‘‘We have decided to stick to our stand that we will not allow Parliament to transact any business till tainted ministers are dropped. Added to it is the governors’ issue.’’ Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, adopting a conciliatory stand, told reporters that the Government was prepared to discuss any issue in ‘‘any form under the rules.’’ Azad, who held a meeting of chief whips of all UPA partners and supporting parties, said a paralysis did not help either the government or the opposition. He said Parliament being the biggest forum, the Oopposition could utilise it to express its views.
