The Hindu : Front Page : Lok Sabha likely to debate Nandigram today

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Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007
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Lok Sabha likely to debate Nandigram today

Neena Vyas

Pawar helps evolve consensus among parties on text of motion

Somnath suggested that Pawar talk to parties
BJP, CPI(M) agree that text will refer to SEZ proposal

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha is expected to discuss the Nandigram issue briefly on Wednesday. The stalemate, which had forced adjournments of the House for the last two days, ended with political parties agreeing on the text of the motion to be discussed.

A similar “agreement” is expected in the Rajya Sabha on the same day to facilitate a discussion on Nandigram.

Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the other Left parties, the Janata Dal (United), the Biju Janata Dal and others met several times to arrive at the agreement. Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar virtually brokered the agreement, arrived at in the presence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee had been saying that he would like to accommodate the BJP’s demands for a discussion on the issue although, strictly speaking, it was a State subject. However, he insisted on a text of the motion that was “admissible” under the rules.

It was his suggestion during a meeting — one of the several held between adjournments in the Lok Sabha — that Mr. Pawar talk to party leaders to reconcile their views.

Towards the evening, the BJP agreed to drop its insistence on an adjournment motion. It was agreed that the issue would be discussed, under a non-substantive motion, for a short-duration under Rule 193.

However, the BJP was able to evolve consensus that the discussion should not club the events in Nandigram with Maoist violence in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

The BJP and CPI(M) leaders confirmed that the agreed text of the motion would refer to the proposal to set up a special economic zone in Nandigram and the “consequent violence” witnessed.

An earlier attempt by the BJP to refer to “goonda raj,” in an explanatory note attached to the motion, was rejected as it was not found to be in order.

In fact, one of the charges brought against the BJP by other leaders was that it had deliberately proposed motions that it knew were not admissible as it wanted to stall the proceedings.

“Motion in order”

Basudeb Acharia and Mohammad Salim of the CPI(M) and V.K. Malhotra of the BJP confirmed the agreement on the text of the motion, which has apparently been found to be “in order” by the Speaker.

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