The Bharatiya Janata Party is planning an onslaught against the United progressive Alliance government on a range of issues — from the public spat between India and China on a host of issues to Copenhagen; from the Madhu Koda scandal to selling spectrum cheap; from the high price of vegetables, grain and lentils to the agitating farmers demanding a higher price for sugarcane; and from David Headley’s links to the 26/11 to threats to internal security by the spread of Naxalism.
Top leaders of the party’s parliamentary wing met at the residence of Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani to chart out the party’s strategy for the winter session of Parliament starting on November 19. The BJP is hoping that on some major issues — the Koda scam, the spectrum loot and the price of sugarcane — several Opposition parties, including the Left, will be seen ranged together against the ruling parties and will be in a position to corner the government.
There are other issues like the so-called ‘fatwa’ by the Deobandis against Muslims singing Vande Matram that the BJP may raise but on which it may find little support from others in the Opposition.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley told reporters here on Tuesday that he was in touch with several other party leaders on the sugarcane price issue and he was confident that the bill to replace the ordinance relating to this subject that the government is expected to bring could be blocked in the Rajya Sabha. Although there is no direct communication with the Left, he was sure that they would be on the same side of the argument on this.
The BJP has already demanded that the Koda diaries that are reported to have the names of several VIPs, including prominent Congressmen, should be made public. The people have the right to know, especially ahead of the Jharkhand assembly polls, it has said.
A meeting of the BJP with leaders of the National Democratic Alliance partners is expected to take place within the first two days of the start of the session, where the NDA will try to chalk out a common approach to some issues.
