The Hindu : Congress, CPI(M) to move amendment to motion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2002

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National

Congress, CPI(M) to move amendment to motion

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 29. The Opposition unity evident in its determination to force a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the Gujarat issue under Rule 184 — which entails voting — appeared to be fraying at the edges a day ahead of the all-important debate. Both the Congress and the CPI(M) have given notice of moving an amendment to the motion moved by Ramji Lal Suman of the Samajwadi Party (SP). Reason? In their view, Mr. Suman's motion is not focussed enough and ``vague '' in its wording, allowing the Government to focus on other States not just Gujarat.

According to Opposition sources, the wording and timing of the SP motion has caused heartburn in their ranks. Senior Opposition leaders say that the entire Opposition had decided to press for the acceptance of the adjournment motion for the first three days after Parliament had re-assembled on April 15. However, much to their surprise, the Samajwadi Party unilaterally moved a motion under Rule 184 even while the rest of the Opposition was insisting on the acceptance of the adjournment motion.

Mr. Suman's notice merely draws the attention of the House ``to the failure of the Government in ensuring the security of the minority community in various parts of the country especially Gujarat''. Both Priyaranjan Dasmunshi (Congress) and Roop Chandpal CPI (M) sought a change in its wording and moved an amendment.

What they suggested is that the wording of the notice needs to be substituted by the words: `` That the Government has failed in preventing large-scale arson, loot, killing of innocent civilians, particularly of the minority community in the State of Gujarat, which is still continuing unabated''. Their notice focusses on the ``total failure'' of the Union and State Government to provide protection, relief and rehabilitation to the victims.

Both Mr. Roop Chand pal and Mr. Dasmunshi have given notice, and their amendments are expected to be taken up soon as the debate on the issue gets under way tomorrow.

The Congress has, meanwhile, issued a three-line whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs asking them to be present in the House when the debate is taken up and come up for voting. Like in the case of the voting on the Bill on Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance in the rajya sabha, the party is making an all-out effort to ensure the presence of all its 112 MPs in the Lok Sabha. Girjya Vayas, who was to have left for abroad, has been asked to reschedule her visit.

Congress sources, however, indicated that it might be difficult for three of its members to make it tomorrow. C.K. Jaffer Sharief's son is reported to be in a serious condition while Rani Narah is hospitalised in Assam. Similarly, Sunil Dutt is also undergoing treatment. Efforts are on to ensure that these members are at least present in the House when the motion comes up for vote.

The Congress floor managers are frantically trying to contact the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Assam and Karnatka to facilitate the presence of the three members.

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