The Hindu : Front Page : BJP firm on raising Nandigram issue

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Thursday, Nov 15, 2007
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BJP firm on raising Nandigram issue

New Delhi Bureau

Nuclear deal: government keen on discussion

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party is determined to raise the Nandigram issue in both Houses of Parliament at the very first opportunity on Friday through an adjournment motion. The government is keen on a discussion on the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal.

Other issues which parties are expected to raise during the short winter session that promises to be full of action are price rise, suicide by farmers, foreign direct investment in retail and the continuing Ram Sethu controversy.

At a leaders’ meeting chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Wednesday, the government was unable to decide on possible dates for the discussion on the nuclear deal. It has now been decided that the Business Advisory Committees would meet separately to decide dates after both Houses adjourn on Thursday, opening day of the session.

At the meeting, it was pointed out that urgent and prior engagements might keep the Prime Minister, the External Affairs Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha away on certain days next week. The nuclear discussion would have to be adjusted accordingly if members insisted on a reply by the Prime Minister.

The Speaker told reporters that the Prime Minister’s absence for some days could not be helped as he represents the country on important international fora. However, Ministers would have to take his permission. Separately, the Congress spokesperson said Dr. Singh’s tours were planned well in advance.

Earlier, the government was planning to have a discussion on the nuclear deal on the first day, but both Houses will be adjourned after obituary references to Jana Krishnamurthy (Rajya Sabha) and V.K. Khandelwal (Lok Sabha).

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