22.8.12

BJP loses the plot


If the BJP wants to bring down the UPA 2 government, it should bring in a No-Confidence motion in the parliament or wait for it's chance at the hustings....not disrupt parliament.

The BJP said it would not settle for the government’s offer to debate the federal auditor’s conclusion that private operators benefitted by Rs 1.86 lakh crore in the coal block allocations.
With the Congress rejecting the demand for the PM’s resignation, the opposition is prepared for some trench warfare. Although the Congress found some succor in SP chief Mulayam Singh supporting the government’s offer of a debate, the Left and regional parties like the BJD and AIADMK have made common cause with the BJP. Heated politics over the CAG reports have seen the BJP pitch its demand at a level it knows cannot be accepted by the Congress.
The BJP insists it is not looking for a compromise and that it is for the government to find a resolution to ensure Parliament functions. The BJP intends to keep Parliament disrupted, perhaps for the rest of the week, as it feels allowing a statement—even if by the PM—will let the government off the hook.  The government also dug in its heels, with parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Bansal saying the BJP’s demand for the PM’s ouster was “preposterous”.
Offering to debate the CAG report, the PM said, “We can give satisfactory answers to all issues being raised.” But the bid to break ice left the BJP cold as the party feels the CAG report only reinforces the UPA’s scam-hit reputation. BJP sources said the party believes the CAG reports give it an opportunity to keep the Congress on the back foot over corruption. “Along with handling of the Assam riots,, the scams complete a picture of incompetence and drift,” said a BJP leader.


There are some cracks in the opposition with BJD declaring that it is not in favour of supporting BJP’s tactics of blocking Parliament.
The Odisha-based party’s view that the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on coal allocations should be debated also found the support of Janata Dal (United), a major ally of the BJP.
JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said Coalgate should be debated, but added that the party would not break with NDA, at least not just yet. He said he was consulting other parties like those of the Left and regional outfits about their views.
BJP remains determined to turn down the government’s offer to debate Coalgate. The party is not relenting on disrupting proceedings, insisting on raising its demand for the resignation of the PM over coal allocations made when he held charge of the coal ministry.
The divergence with other political parties weakens BJP’s position but may not prevent it from persisting with its tactics for a couple of days more.




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