The Hindu : Opposition may seek suspension of question hour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 03, 2003

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National

Opposition may seek suspension of question hour

By Gargi Parsai

New Delhi Dec. 2. Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha are planning to seek the suspension of question hour on the issue of corruption, including allegations of Government misuse of Public Sector Undertakings and the Dilip Singh Judeo video tape. They are also likely to demand a statement from the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the two issues.

The leaders are meeting here on Wednesday in the chamber of the Leader of Opposition, Manmohan Singh, to decide the floor coordination strategy for the winter session which is expected to be stormy.

The suspension of the question hour is the only instrument available to the Opposition in the upper house to highlight an issue, as against an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal, led by Laloo Prasad Yadav, who is a member of the House, is also preparing to take on the Government on the killing of Biharis in Assam over railway jobs.

The Railway Board's new recruitment policy for lower grade posts has been widely criticised.

Though the strategy for the House will be firmed up at Wednesday's meeting, a broad consensus on issues was reached today at the meeting of leaders of Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha.

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