Retail FDI debate: UPA tells Oppn to avoid loss of face
29 Nov 2012 6:58 AM IST
Having got the numbers on their side, the UPA, on Wednesday, decided to show ‘magnanimity’ to the Opposition asking them to avoid a loss of face on the floor of the House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath met leaders of the Opposition – Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley – to end the logjam on FDI in multi-brand retail, soon after the government confirmed support from its key ally DMK.
During the meeting, Nath discussed with Swaraj and Jaitley to withdraw from their demand of a discussion under rule 184 in Lok Sabha which entails voting. Well-placed sources said that Nath told them that they could opt for an ‘exit plan’ and refrain from voting, as the government had firmed up its numbers after DMK offered to support it.
Sources also said both the government and the Opposition have said the final decision lies with the Speaker of the House Meira Kumar. But the Congress-led UPA is confident that even if voting is done, the government will sail through smoothly. After the meeting, Nath said, ‘All parties wanted Parliament to run smoothly. But a larger number (of political parties) are not concerned whether the discussion (on FDI) is held with voting or without voting. We have left the decision with the Speaker. Presiding officers should take any decision they want in the interest of running parliament.’
While sticking to their stand, Sushma Swaraj said: ‘It has become necessary for us now to voice our opinions and for that we need to vote.
We have clearly said that Parliament will function only after a debate under Rule 184 and we are requesting the same today. The PM (Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) has said that he is confident of getting the majority and that the DMK is also supporting the government...if the numbers are in their favour then why don’t their go for voting on the issue.’
During the meeting, Nath discussed with Swaraj and Jaitley to withdraw from their demand of a discussion under rule 184 in Lok Sabha which entails voting. Well-placed sources said that Nath told them that they could opt for an ‘exit plan’ and refrain from voting, as the government had firmed up its numbers after DMK offered to support it.
Sources also said both the government and the Opposition have said the final decision lies with the Speaker of the House Meira Kumar. But the Congress-led UPA is confident that even if voting is done, the government will sail through smoothly. After the meeting, Nath said, ‘All parties wanted Parliament to run smoothly. But a larger number (of political parties) are not concerned whether the discussion (on FDI) is held with voting or without voting. We have left the decision with the Speaker. Presiding officers should take any decision they want in the interest of running parliament.’
While sticking to their stand, Sushma Swaraj said: ‘It has become necessary for us now to voice our opinions and for that we need to vote.
We have clearly said that Parliament will function only after a debate under Rule 184 and we are requesting the same today. The PM (Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) has said that he is confident of getting the majority and that the DMK is also supporting the government...if the numbers are in their favour then why don’t their go for voting on the issue.’
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