Party sources fear Parliament pandemonium is creating a negative perception about the govt, there are arguments for and against the curtailment.
New Delhi: With the Finance Bill through in the Lok Sabha and other business affected due to constant interruptions, the Narendra Modi government is contemplating whether to end the budget session of Parliament before its scheduled date, 6 April.
Many BJP MPs are of the opinion that the unproductive session should be curtailed, but Modi and Amit Shah are yet to take a decision. Sources say they might decide to let it run its course for many reasons, one of which will be the farewell to retiring Rajya Sabha MPs and welcome to the new ones, due at the beginning of April.
The pandemonium in Parliament is creating a negative perception about the government, party sources said, since the government could not broker a deal with the opposition parties, led by the Congress, to ensure smooth business.
The Finance Bill was passed without discussion through a voice vote in the Lok Sabha last week, amid opposition sloganeering and protests.
Why the session should be shortened
A senior BJP leader said the upcoming assembly polls in Karnataka are a priority for the government, and with many Karnataka leaders present in the house, it becomes tough for the party to coordinate election activities in the state. Union parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar, for example, would have been deployed on the ground in his home state, but he’s in the capital strategising and managing the floor of the house.
“He (Kumar) has clout over a vast region of Karnataka as well as over state party president and CM candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa. Though he has been asked to focus on the state and to be present in his constituency and let Parliament take its course, he needs to register his attendance,” the leader said.
“The government knows that the proceedings of the house cannot run for long amid protests, so adjourning it sine die before the stipulated date could be a logical step.”
Another source said it wasn’t good for the BJP to give former allies a platform to launch an attack against itself. “Today they have moved a no-confidence motion. Though it is not yet accepted by the Speaker, former allies establishing a narrative against the government is not good,” the source said.
“Yes, the Finance Bill needs to be passed in the Rajya Sabha. But we will figure out a way to do it, now that it has been passed in the Lok Sabha.”
Why it should not be shortened
There are few days left until the end of the session, and even fewer working days, and a source said if the government wants to adjourn the session sine die, it has to do so in writing, which should be avoided.
“I doubt the government would want to give reasons for the adjournment in writing. There is no dire need to do that,” the source said.
Another senior leader advised against curtailing the session, since it could be viewed as running away from the no-confidence motion.
In addition, many of the members coming in to the Rajya Sabha will be BJP members, and a source said the party would want to welcome them colourfully, which would not be possible if Parliament was not in session.