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Day one of debate springs no surprises

New Delhi Bureau

Prime Minister seeks the support of the Lok Sabha on the basis of “our entire record in office”

Photos: V.V. Krishnan, V. Sudershan

When sparks flew: 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 United Progressive Alliance remained only precariously comfortable. There were no surprises with speakers sticking to their party positions.

The trust vote will be taken up on Tuesday.

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 (CPI-M) were the highlights of an otherwise indifferent debate.

Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani, who made a scathing attack on the government in Parliament said Manmohan and his government were to blame for the present situation.

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 deal, he sought the support of the House on the basis of “our entire record in office.”

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

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