Ayodhya casts shadow on Food Bill passage

Party sources said that with developments in Uttar Pradesh snowballing into a major political battle, the BJP cannot help but raise the matter of ‘arrest of Sadhus and Sants’ in Parliament. ‘They would probably try to balance out by raising the matter during the question or zero hour and allow the discussion when the Bill is presented. But nothing is for certain,’ said a party source.

With the Food Security Bill and some other major legislative measures scheduled for consideration in Lok Sabha on Monday, Congress, meanwhile, is leaving no stone unturned for their early passage and has issued a three-line whip to its members for the entire week.

The members have been asked to be present in the House and support government business on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Parliament will not have a sitting on Wednesday due to Janmashtami.

The consideration of the Food Security Bill, described by Congress as ‘game changer’, could not be taken up despite being listed in Lok Sabha’s business since last Monday last due to disruptions over Telangana and other issues. It will come up for discussion and passage on Monday.

After the naming of 12 members from Andhra Pradesh for disruptions over the Telangana question, the House on Saturday displayed exemplary seriousness when it passed as many as three bills.

Besides the food bill, other major bills coming up for consideration this week include Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011.