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Day one of debate springs no surprises

Photos: V.V.Krishnan, V. Sudershan

CRUCIAL TIMES: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives to attend the special session of Parliament on Monday.

NEW DELHI: The changed and new political equations were reflected during the first day of the historic trust vote debate in the Lok Sabha on Monday even as the “numbers” for the ruling coalition remained only precariously comfortable. There were no surprises with speakers sticking to their stated party positions.

Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani, in a file photo.

The debate began with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh moving the motion “that this House expresses confidence in the Council of Ministers.” Seeking the trust vote, he expressed “regret” at the “wholly avoidable” situation but welcomed the opportunity for the House to review his administration. Speaker Somnath Chatterjee was in the Chair for most of the day.

A spirited performance by External Affairs Minister and Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee, a political indictment of the government’s record by Leader of the Opposition L. K. Advani and a competent critique of the UPA’s pro-U.S. approach by Mohammad Salim (Communist Party of India-Marxist) were the highlights of an otherwise indifferent debate.

At the outset, Dr. Singh said the UPA was able to complete four years in office because of the “leadership” of chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and the “wise and visionary leaderships of Jyoti Basu, Harkishan Singh Surjeet and M. Karunanidhi.”

Referring to his “solemn assurance” to seek the guidance of Parliament before operationalising the India-U.S. nuclear agreement, he sought the support of the House on the basis of “our entire record in office.”

With these opening remarks, Dr. Singh left it to Mr. Mukherjee to open the government’s defence against Mr. Advani and Mr. Salim’s charge.

Speaking for the motion, Ramgopal Yadav (SP) said opposition to the deal was merely because of personal and political compulsions, and not because it was bad.

Supporting the deal, Devendra Prasad Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal) urged political parties to refrain from casting aspersions on the Prime Minister, though there may be differences on issues. He said Mr. Advani and his party were in a state of a “shock” with the emergence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati as a national leader.

Calling upon the people to oppose the nuclear deal, Brajesh Pathak (Bahujan Samaj Party) said there were “dealers behind the nuclear deal.” He wondered why the government was in a hurry to pursue the deal when the U.S. itself has almost abandoned developing nuclear energy. There were other more pressing issues facing the country, including inflation, he said and blamed Dr. Singh for the price rise.

Appreciating the help extended by the Left parties in supporting the government for over four years, Surface Transport Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member T. R. Baalu said a friend in need was a friend in deed, but added that this “disassociation” was not for ever.

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