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Postponement of PM's reply triggers speculation

Special Correspondent
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Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj speaks in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Photo: PTI
PTI Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj speaks in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Photo: PTI

Government buying time to pacify Trinamool Congress: Sushma Swaraj

With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday postponing his reply in the Lok Sabha to the debate on the motion of thanks for the President's address to the joint session of Parliament, there is speculation that the UPA government is on a shaky ground vis-à-vis its allies, particularly the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The BJP seized the opportunity to accuse the government of running away from Parliament to hide its inability to muster a simple majority.

Voting on the motion of thanks has assumed importance as several parties have moved amendments objecting to the mention of the controversial National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC) in the President's address. The Opposition is hoping to secure the support of the TMC, which has been in the forefront of the opposition from the States.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said the government postponed the Prime Minister's reply, which is now scheduled for Monday, to buy time to pacify the TMC. “There is no doubt that the government does not have a majority in the House.”

An agitated Parliamentary Affairs Minister Paswan Kumar Bansal took exception to her statement and argued that the reply was deferred for logistical reasons and it had nothing to do with numbers game.

Bansal confident

Mr. Bansal expressed confidence that the motion will be passed without amendments. Indications are that he has sought the support of the Samajwadi Party.

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It is virtually a minority government that is ruling the country today. Whatever this augurs for the country, it definitely doesn't augur well for the Congress party. The holier than thou and mightier than thou attitude of the Congress party towards its coalition partners, supported and encouraged by a section of the media, especially the electronic media, is the prime cause of its discomfiture in parliament. Come down to earth, Congressmen and women and diaabuse your mind of the notion that you are born to rule!

from:  K.Vijayakumar
Posted on: Mar 16, 2012 at 06:46 IST

M M Singh always runs away from facing difficult situations in the
Parliament. Unfortunately for him,there are NO international meets like
G-2o,BRICKS to run away to and hide under,at the moment.

from:  Sadasivan
Posted on: Mar 16, 2012 at 03:31 IST

UPA 1 has managed to survive the communist challenge. UPA 2 will also manage to survive Mamta challenge. The savior in both the cases will be SP.

from:  Syed
Posted on: Mar 16, 2012 at 03:24 IST
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