New Delhi: The NDA yesterday said it was willing to cooperate with the government on its legislative agenda in the monsoon session but the opposition should be given space to raise issues of national interest, such as the Uttarakhand tragedy and the Ishrat Jahan case.
After a meeting of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) floor leaders at the residence of senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani, BJP’s Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said if legislation was crucial for the government, articulation of issues of national interest was vital for the opposition.
The meeting was attended by leaders of Shiv Sena, Shriomani Akali Dal and Haryana Janhit Congress.
Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete said that they would raise the Uttarakhand tragedy and differences between the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Intelligence Bureau over the Ishrat Jahan case.
He said the NDA would evolve its strategy depending on the issues raised in the house.
Sources said the session was likely to be stormy as the opposition would make efforts to put the government in the dock on rising prices, the Uttarakhand tragedy and the fallout of the decision on statehood for Telangana. The session will be held months from assembly polls to four states.
The BJP has said that the government should bring a bill on creation of a Telangana state in the monsoon session of parliament.
It also wants to express its concern over the falling value of the rupee. The party may also raise the issue of the “clean chit” given to Pawan Kumar Bansal in the bribery case related to an appointment in the rail ministry.
The BJP had earlier in the day held a strategy meeting chaired by Advani.
The party wants the government to incorporate its suggestions in the food security bill.
The BJP meeting was attended by party president Rajnath Singh, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley and other party leaders.
The BJP leaders said they would make an honest effort to cooperate in the smooth functioning of parliament. However, the party may not support passage of insurance amendment bills.
The party has said that the Standing Committee on Finance has recommended a 26 percent cap on foreign direct investment in the insurance sector.
IANS
