Govt, Oppn face-off likely as winter session begins today

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 10

A day before the Parliament convenes for what could be the last full session of the BJP-led government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his government was ready to discuss all issues of national importance even as an unimpressed Opposition pressed for a JPC probe into the Rafale jet deal and NDA ally Shiv Sena for a law on construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

Addressing the all-party meeting called by the government to ensure smooth running of two Houses, where important legislations are set to be introduced, the PM asserted the government was always ready and receptive for issues raised by parties. He said the government and the Opposition had to cooperate with each other in public interest so that Parliament could function smoothly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, briefing about the meeting.

Tomar also said all parties were in favour of a productive session and the government too was ready to discuss issues permitted under rules. According to a statement, the PM “encouraged” parties to create a “constructive atmosphere” in the winter session and to collectively address issues related to the welfare of people. “There was a consensus across parties on ensuring smooth functioning of Parliament without deadlocks to be resolved through constructive discussions in both Houses,” it said.

However, despite the niceties, the session is expected to be a stormy one with rivals making the most of it to corner the government on issues, including the Rafale deal, “misuse of probe agencies”, farm  distress, price rise, unemployment and autonomy for RBI.

Accusing the NDA “of trying to damage every institution by interfering in their autonomy” and alleging the central bank was being forced to “open bank funding” to defaulting corporate, it is all set to corner the government on the issue in the session. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Opposition would again press for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Rafale jet deal and raise other issues, including the “misuse of probe agencies”.