NEW DELHI, April 21: Aware that a new government cannot be installed unless the Budget is passed, the BJP and its allies today blocked proceedings in the Lok Sabha with the result that the Union Budget could not be passed today.The caretaker Vajpayee Government feels that a delay in the passage of the Budget helps it to buy time and strengthen its chances of revival.Though it has took note of President K R Narayanan's unhappiness over the delay in passing the Budget, the Government pleaded today that the Congress party was responsible since its ``horse-trading'' had provoked MPs to troop into the well and hence stall the House. Narayanan reportedly asked the Government to ensure that the Budget is passed tomorrow.The President held a series of discussions today with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha and Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Kumaramanglam after the House adjournment. He also spoke to Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu asking him to prevail upon his MPs notto block the Budget.The President is said to have expressed his strong objections to the fact that after giving him a commitment, it was the BJP and its allies who prevented the House from transacting financial business. Incidentally, the special session was called on the President's directions.BJP leaders are said to have questioned Sonia Gandhi's claim that she had the support of 272 MPs and would get more MPs to back the party when they had submitted a list of 270 MPs supporting the Vajpayee Government.However, the President reportedly told the Union Ministers to ensure the passage of the Budget because the House had been summoned for that specific purpose. If the Anti-Defection Law is being violated, there are proper forums for its redressal, he said. But the country couldn't be held to ransom. He had to start the process of alternative government after the fall of a government and for this, the Budget needs to be passed.
