Brute majority, yet why shy from voting?

New Delhi : Notwithstanding having a “brute majority,” why is the government shying away from voting on the discussion on the plight of the common man following demonetisation? This is the big question being raised by majority of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha now, with no resolution in sight of breaking the three-week long logjam.

On the other side, there is an equally adamant government, not in favour of voting, but says it is ever ready to debate the issue and urges the Opposition to start it, ‘the rules can follow.’ In their short interventions, both sides put the ball in Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s court telling her she is the ‘custodian’ of the House and must find a way out, a remedy.

Mahajan has repeatedly shot down discussion on adjournment motion under Rule 56, as demanded by the Opposition. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge says the party has paid heed to her request and 17 parties modified there demand to hold the discussion now under Rule 184, (which too entails voting). The government, he stated, too should come down and forget 193 and agree with 184.

“With a brute majority, why are you shying from voting,” he asks. “We are with government on the fight against black money, but it is the common man who is suffering, he is standing in long queues, there is no money in ATMs, they don’t have salaries or pension, the GDP growth has dropped, 105 related deaths have been reported, let’s debate whether it is causing hardship or is beneficial....” was his plea.

SP’s Mulayam Singh pointed out “two women died in line when they got to know there was no money in the bank; 16 persons have died in UP alone... this must be taken seriously....farmers and traders are hit, no seeds no manure, there can’t be a bigger issue in your (Mahajan’s) career, so find a way out... the decision of demonetisation should have been taken after consulting all parties and not chori se raat ko ....(late at night singly)...”

TMC’s Sudip Bandopadhyay, urged the treasury to agree to their demand as it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the House runs. “Don’t put pressure on us...We are ready to debate, you have brute majority in the House. Why are you then avoiding voting?” he asked.

However, there was a surprise. There was another side to the Opposition. The BJD and TRS members sought the debate be started under Rule 193, (which does not entail voting.) Jithender Reddy of TRS said: “PM’s intention to curb black money is welcome. Implementation is wrong. Find a remedy. Start the debate under Rule 193 (doesn’t entail voting)”’Home Minister Rajnath Singh promptly encashed on it.

He stated: “No one has questioned the Government’s intention on the demonetisation scheme, it is said implementation is wrong, we want to know the difficulties, tell us what we can do to remove these....the decision was in national interest, we are ready for a debate now itself and request the Opposition to start it. But under what Rule, the Opposition is divided!”

“Both sides are ready for a discussion, there is the people’s issue, debate it under Rule 193, let’s start without the rules and we’ll see about voting,” was the Speaker’s advice. Thus the session is being washed out. Another day—will it change anything? Unlikely, say most MPs. Expect repeat performance.

Source: INFA