By IANS,
New Delhi : The month-long resumed monsoon session of parliament beginning Friday is expected to be stormy with the opposition certain to take the government to task on a number of contentious issues like the economic meltdown, communal violence, terror attacks and price rise – as also the landmark India-US civilian nuclear deal.
This apart, the government would find itself on the backfoot if the DMK, which is a part of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), raises the issue of the “mismanagement” of the situation in Sri Lanka. The DMK has warned that MPs across the political spectrum from Tamil Nadu would quit parliament if steps were not taken to stop military aid to Sri Lanka and enforce a ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels.
On its part, the government is expected to push through big ticket legislation relating to reforms in the insurance, education and anti-corruption spheres during what is expected to be the last substantive session of the Lok Sabha before the general elections early next year.
The winter session, will in all probability, be dispensed with and the government is likely to call a brief parliament session in February to pass a vote on account as it will not be able to bring a full budget before the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
With the nuclear deal in its bag, an upbeat government is equipping itself to counter the combined opposition, even as it is likely to bring bring bills to amend the country’s insurance and anti-corruption laws, as also legislation to codify job quotas for scheduled castes and tribes.
The government is also expected to introduce a bill to the salaries of the president, the vice president, governors and MPs.
The government expects a combined attack of opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Left parties on various issues including price rise and inflation.
However, a split in opposition ranks is also expected on issue of communal violence.
The Left parties have already said that they would raise issue of attacks on minority Christians in NDA ruled states of Orissa and Karnataka in parliament. They are expected to launch a strong attack against both government and opposition on the Orissa issue.
The BJP is expected to corner the government on the issue of terror attacks in the country and government’s “soft” approach on it.
The session will the continuation of the special session of parliament July 21-22 during which the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh won a trust vote prompted by the Left parties withdrawing support on the India-US civilian nuclear deal.