NEW DELHI: The debate on India's vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency on the Iran nuclear issue could take place on February 27, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said on Thursday. It would depend on the availability of time with the Prime Minister, as the Union Budget is to be presented on February 28, he said.

Mr. Dasmunsi took exception to the manner in which proceedings were disrupted on Thursday forcing a re-organisation of business in both Houses, Mr. Dasmunsi said the Prime Minister's reply to the motion of thanks was scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening. He charged V.K. Malhotra, BJP deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, with reneging on his assurance that the Opposition would move no motion and raise no issue on Thursday morning and that it would stick to the listed business. "I approached him and Mr. Advani [Leader of the Opposition] when notice was given by the BJP for suspension of question hour [on Thursday]. Their answer was that they cannot help and Mr. Advani added that since the matter [of CBI's role in the Babri demolition case] concerned him, it was the party that would decide." Every effort was made to ensure the smooth conduct of business but the Opposition was bent on disruption, he said.

He also lashed out at the BJP for using a "deplorable and condemnable" language and hurling "abusive" slogans at the Prime Minister, crossing all limits of decency.

"When the Congress was in the Opposition it boycotted the then Defence Minister, George Fernandes, but proceedings were not disrupted."

Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee commented: "Parliament was not for meeting at 11 a.m. and then disrupting and going home. Sessions are for conducting business.

In the 14th Lok Sabha this Government has not said `no' to a debate or a discussion on any issue chosen by the Opposition under whatever rule it wanted, provided rules permitted.

Everything cannot be ordered, as the BJP wants it. There are other political parties too."

The BJP justified its tactics of disruption saying that the Government letter to the CBI reminded him of the Emergency as it was an effort by the Government "to subvert" the independence of the CBI.

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