Left,BJP open a window,could accept proposal

Keen to end the stalemate in Parliament,the BJP and Left on Sunday made it clear that they were willing to consider the governments proposal....

Keen to end the stalemate in Parliament,the BJP and Left on Sunday made it clear that they were willing to consider the governments proposal a discussion on price rise which would culminate in both the Houses adopting identical resolutions. However,the wording of the proposed motion may create roadblocks.

Left leaders made it clear that they wanted certain changes in the draft circulated by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and if the government agreed to that they were ready for a discussion without voting. The BJP is divided on whether it should agree to a discussion which would not end in voting.

Leaders of the BJP and Left would attend the breakfast meeting with Mukherjee,but indicated that a way out would only be possible if the government side agreed to make changes in the text of the motion. Mukherjee had extended breakfast invite to the leaders on Saturday in a bid to end the impasse.

The draft resolution circulated by the government read: This House expresses concern at inflationary pressure on the economy and calls upon the government to contain its impact. CPMs leader in the Lok Sabha Basudev Acharia told The Indian Express that the Left wanted two changes in that formulation.

The Left feels that inflationary pressure was a generic term and wants it to be replaced by price rise to make it specific. Besides,it wants the motion to say that it calls upon the government to curb rather than contain the impact of price rise. If the government agrees,we have no objection and we are ready for a discussion under rule 193, Acharia said. A discussion under rule 193 does not end in voting.

The government proposal was discussed at a meeting held at L K Advanis residence. Among those who attended were NDA convenor Sharad Yadav,Leader of the opposition Sushma Swaraj and Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha S S Ahluwalia. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley did not attend the late evening meeting.

Ahluwalia told The Indian Express that a wayout could be found through discussions. We also want normalisation. Everything can be sorted out by sitting and discussing across the table, he said. Asked whether the BJP would be willing for a discussion under rule 193 in the Lok Sabha,he,however,said the option of 193 had already been discussed several times.