The Manmohan Singh government’s plan to split the opposition seems to have come apart with the BJP deciding not to debate the misuse of the CBI in the Amit Shah case.
Instead, the BJP has decided to confront the government on price rise and bring an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. In doing so, it is making common cause with Left parties, who have already announced their intention to bring an adjournment motion on price rise in Parliament.
The opposition parties gave an indication of their mood to Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, who had convened a meeting of all leaders.
Earlier, the BJP was keen to raise the issue of the use of the Anti-Terrorist Squads (ATS) in Congress-ruled states to arrest and harass persons in the name of Hindu terrorism, and the use of the CBI in the Amit Shah case.
But NDA convener and JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav warned that this would isolate the BJP and break the splendid opposition unity achieved on the issue of price rise and as evidenced by the successful Bharat bandh on July 5.
Opposition parties have also decided they will not meet each other, but hold discussions largely over telephone. Nor will there be a common leader of the agitation.
The opposition intends to question rising food prices, demand the sacking of communications minister A Raja, question the escape of Warren Anderson in the Bhopal case, and denounce the functioning of the railway ministry.
In its turn, the government intends to bring forth the women’s reservation and food security bills and other welfare measures.
The BJP left no one in doubt that it would stick to a common agenda rather than its Hindutva line.
The initiative was taken by NDA chairman LK Advani.
