As the second part of the budget session of Parliament opens on Thursday, the National Democratic Alliance will focus on the Dantewada massacre of CRPF jawans by Maoists — by demanding that the matter be discussed immediately by suspending question hour and that the government make a full statement.
This decision was taken at a meeting of NDA leaders at the residence of working chairman L.K. Advani here on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, a meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders was chaired by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj. A notice for suspension of question hour will be given, party leaders said.
Floor coordination
Party members will give notices for cut motions when the Finance Bill is taken up for consideration and passage. As the Left and other parties have also said they will move cut motions, Ms. Swaraj has made it clear that the BJP will not hesitate to vote against the government, irrespective of which party's motion is taken up. She said the BJP was in touch with leaders of non-NDA parties and there would be floor coordination. The party would issue a three-line whip asking its MPs to vote against the government on cut motions, a move that is certain to make the ruling coalition work harder to ensure that its thin majority is not eroded by absence of ruling party members.
Tharoor issue
A major issue flagged by the BJP is its demand that Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor resign or be sacked for his alleged role in “mentoring” the Indian Premier League's Kochi team.
Besides, the party intends showing its strength, organising a massive march to Parliament on April 21 when it will try to paint the government anti-people as it has done little to contain the prices of pulses, wheat and rice — the staple food of the aam aadmi .
