Cracks in INDIA stance on disruption of House, many for middle ground to let discussion start

Sources said many Opposition MPs now believe they should try and find a middle ground to allow a discussion to take place, which would give the parties an opportunity to corner the Government, especially now that the visit by the Opposition delegation to the strife-torn state has armed them with enough ammunition to argue that both the state and central governments have failed to tackle the situation.

The Opposition is planning to meet President Droupadi Murmu to seek her intervention in Manipur.

Some MPs argue the Opposition should also abandon its insistence on a statement by the PM and get on with a discussion. That way, the parties can use the grand stage of Parliament to attack the government, its ‘double-engine model’, and target PM Modi for remaining silent on Manipur, from the time violence erupted there nearly three months ago.

“All of us can put across our points forcefully, and at a later point, stage a walkout, questioning the PM’s absence,” an MP told The Indian Express.

Many Opposition MPs also feel that the difference between holding a discussion under Rule 267 and under Rule 176 is lost on the public.

Sources said that at least one senior Congress leader argued this at a meeting of the Opposition parties on Monday morning.

Some other parties agreed, but sources said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and DMK feel the INDIA alliance can’t dilute its position, supported by a section in the Congress.

In the Lok Sabha, many Opposition MPs believe their protest is helping the Government push through key Bills without much discussion. And that, having moved a no-confidence motion, the Opposition should now try to corner the Government using parliamentary means. “The Government is making fun of our strategy,” an MP said.

Sources said the differences on approach came out in the open at Monday morning’s Opposition meeting. Even the decision to pause protests and participate in parliamentary discussions, and in voting over the Bill proposed to replace the Delhi ordinance, whenever it comes up in Parliament, was not agreeable to all.

Many leaders wondered how an exception can be made for one Bill – which the AAP is opposing tooth and nail – when the Opposition protests have allowed the Government to pass other contentious legislation in the Lok Sabha.

However, despite the divergence in views, the Opposition INDIA alliance finally decided to stick to its demands.

Then, at 2 pm, the government – in an apparent attempt to turn the table on the Opposition – signalled that it was ready for a discussion. The Opposition went into a huddle again, before resolving to remain firm on its demands.

A meeting convened by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in between adjournments, too, could not resolve the stalemate.

“The PM must make a statement in the House on what has happened in Manipur over the past 90 days. Thereafter there should be a debate and discussion… It is not the INDIA parties that are running away from a debate on Manipur. It is actually the PM who is running away from giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

TMC floor leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said that the PM hasn’t come to Parliament for even 20 seconds in the eight days of the Monsoon Session so far. “Where is the Prime Minister of India on Day 8 of Parliament?” he asked.

The Manipur situation was serious and all parties wanted a discussion under the emergency rule by suspending all other businesses, but no discussion was being held, he added.

“Why can’t the PM come? We are all ready to discuss Manipur,” O’Brien said. “We want to discuss Manipur under the Emergency Rule, not the ‘toast and butter’ Rule 176. A discussion of 1.5-2 hours is not done. That is the ‘toast and butter’ Rule. We want a full-meal discussion on Manipur… The women and children of Manipur, the people of Manipur are suffering. We don’t want a two-hour discussion of the two-minute Maggi noodles variety.”