UPA-II reigned supreme over the opposition on Friday. It not only managed smooth introduction of the contentious Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill in Lok Sabha but also had its way on the demand for a caste-based census.
Contrary to expectations that the bill would be stalled in the Lower House after its passage in Rajya Sabha, opposition parties facilitated its introduction in their respective ways.
SP and RJD had reportedly reached a give-and-take understanding with the government on the bill and caste-based census. They wholeheartedly supported the bill’s introduction before home minister P Chidambaram’s reply to the debate on a caste-based census.
The BJP-led NDA and Left facilitated the bill by walking out, protesting the obduracy of the government in not effecting amendments to the draft. There was virtually no voice of dissent left in the House.
The opposition was in for a shock when Chidambaram read out his response to the debate on a caste-based census without making any commitment to accept the demand.
“The government will keep in mind the views of the honourable members,” he said, triggering protests. Finally, Manmohan Singh had to intervene to pacify the opposition, particularly the Yadav trio of Mulayam Singh, Lalu Prasad and Sharad. But he too did make any commitment.
