The fractious 15th Lok Sabha, marked by UPA-opposition clashes over cases of corruption such as 2G, Commonwealth Games and Coalgate, will meet for the last time in mid or end-January to pass a vote on account, clearing the way for Lok Sabha elections by late March or early April.
Sources said the government is planning to take the vote on account next month, with January 13-17 seen as a likely window. Polls can be held by late March or early April. The 2004 and 2009 elections were held between mid-April and mid-May.
This move comes in the backdrop of an increasingly dysfunctional Parliament and feverish lobbying for a no-trust motion submitted by six Congress MPs opposed to bifurcation of Andhra.
A sense of uncertainty and the perception that Congress’s rout in four states has left the embattled Manmohan Singh government further enfeebled, encouraged the Seemandhra MPs to defy the party authority.
The assembly poll results rattled Congress and a review meeting on Monday saw functionaries point to high inflation — seen to be the Centre’s failing — as an important reason for the debacle. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi is learned to have agreed with the assessment.
The no-trust motion could not be taken up by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar due to lack of order in the House, but it continued to be intensely discussed with political parties weighing the merits of supporting the motion. While Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee ruled out supporting the no-confidence move, Biju Janata Dal’s 14 MPs will support the motion when the admission of the motion is considered.
As of now, the motion does not have the backing of the 50 MPs required to rise in support when the Speaker seeks the opinion of the House. Congress managers are going all out to ensure that the move fizzles out.
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