With the stalemate over the sugarcane pricing policy resolved, the Opposition BJP, as also the NDA, will now focus on issues like internal security, the first anniversary of the 26/11 attack, price rise, the Madhu Koda scam, the spectrum allotment controversy and issues related to climate change ?not necessarily in that order ?in the month-long Parliament session.
When the two Houses reconvene on Monday after disruptions by the Opposition in the two Houses over the sugarcane pricing issue all but brought Parliament to a standstill last week, the BJP is likely to keep up the tempo on the Madhu Koda issue. With the party having high stakes in the Jharkhand elections, the party may even bring in an adjournment motion on the ?Madhu Koda scam?. On the anniversary of the 26/11 attack, the BJP, and the NDA, will demand a full-fledged discussion on internal security and ?lack of progress in the 26/11 investigations?.
The BJP will also raise issues like ?China?s incursions into Indian territory? and the ?plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka?. Incidentally, the RSS has laid a lot of emphasis on these two issues in recent months.
At the NDA meeting held in the Parliament House complex towards the beginning of the session, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, RLD leader Ajit Singh, and representatives from the Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal had agreed on the Opposition agenda for the session. While there were fissures earlier in the BJP over its priorities for the session?whether the Madhu Koda scam should take precedence over the sugarcane pricing issue, for instance ? the party?s ability or lack of it to project a coherent strategy in the House will be watched closely, more so when its performance had been appreciated in the last session.
The performance of its young MPs too will be watched. While Congress MP from Orissa?s Nabarangpur, Pradeep Kumar Majhi, had led young MPs in asking the maximum number of questions in the budget session of the 15th Lok Sabha, according to a study by PRS Legislative Research, ?young MPs from BJP were more active than their older colleagues, and their counterparts in the Indian National Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP participated less than their party averages?. In the last session, deputy Leader of Opposition, Sushma Swaraj had laid a lot of stress on encouraging young speakers from the Opposition benches.
Apart from leader of Opposition, LK Advani, Swaraj is likely to lead the party charge on internal security in the House, while the leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, would similarly lead the party charge in the Upper House. Jaitley is also likely to define the party line on issues like climate change.
There?s a possibility, however, that fissures within the BJP will be reflected in its parliamentary performance too. On the sugarcane pricing issue, for instance, the Lok Sabha-Rajya Sabha divide in the BJP was clearly visible in and outside the House. With Ajit Singh ? an NDA constituent ?having taken the lead on the issue, BJP president Rajnath Singh sought to up the ante outside the House, while it was leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, who was seen at the public meeting organised by the Jat leader. According to the original plan, the Opposition had decided not to let the ordinance get passed in the Rajya Sabha, where it outnumbers the government. Jaitley, who shares a close rapport with Ajit Singh, was closely involved in drawing up the strategy.
This session will be important for the BJP for what it is likely to reveal on the party?s vexed succession issue. With Advani already having decided that he would not continue as the leader of Opposition in the House for full five years, he could throw up some hints on his future plan of action.
With Sharad Yadav coordinating with Opposition parties like the Samajwadi Party and others, his role as an NDA manager will also be crucial. Sushma Swaraj, tipped to take over from Advani, when he steps down, too, will be in the spotlight for her floor management strategy, as also her interventions in the House.