The BJP has made it known to the government that it would not allow the passage of any bills in the current session of Parliament, amid pandemonium or without discussion.
In a change of strategy, the party has decided not to disrupt the proceedings of Parliament like in previous sessions, rendering itself vulnerable to an attack from the Congress alleging that it has nothing positive to contribute.
The strategy was evident in both Houses of Parliament when members of the BJP sat as mere spectators amid repeated disruption of the proceedings by MPs from Andhra Pradesh on Telangana.
Senior BJP leaders have indicated while the party has no issue with helping the government in passage of the Food Security Bill and the Pension Bill, it has reservations about the Insurance Bill.
“At the most, in the course of the debate on the Food Security Bill, we might argue on the merits of the Chattisgarh model and move a few amendments. But when it comes up for voting, the party will support it,” a senior BJP leader said.
By letting some of its own party MPs disrupt proceedings in Parliament, the Congress has clearly played into the hands of the principle opposition party.
“The BJP had clearly said that it wants Parliament to function. The Prime Minister appealed for the same and said the government is ready for a debate on all issues. But there is difference between what the Congress says and what it does. They dismissed the Prime Minister’s request through their actions,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain charged.
“Our MPs were silent in the House. They even asked questions during the Question Hour amid the din. Congress MPs did not allow the House to run. The ruling party should first set its own house in order before it preaches to the opposition. The whole country was watching how Congress MPs trooped into the Well of the House,” Mr. Hussain said.
He argued that when Railgate took place, the BJP had demanded Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's resignation and then Law Minister Ashwani Kumar’s removal for asking the CBI to share details of the affidavit meant for the Supreme Court on the coal scam, leading to disruption of the House till the fag end of the second half of the budget session.
