Congress approaches Mulayam to end parliament logjam

New Delhi: With parliament's proceedings remaining disrupted for the second day Wednesday as the opposition insisted on a debate on the price rise under a rule which entails voting, the government doubled its efforts to solve the impasse, reaching out to the Samajwadi Party.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has given notice of an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha Thursday to discuss the black money issue.

Sources said United Progressive Alliance government's chief trouble shooter, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, sought Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's support to hold a debate on price rise under a rule which does not require voting.

The Samajwadi Party, which supports the UPA from outside, is the third largest party in the Lok Sabha with 22 members and can help the government deal with the opposition's demand of a debate with voting.

The government has accused the opposition of trying to destabilise the government by demanding a debate with voting on the price rise issue.

Sources said while no political party can afford a mid-term polls, the government too is not in a position to ignore the issue of price rise.

Official sources said that ways to break the logjam were discussed by Congress leaders including Mukherjee and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal. Congress leaders were also reaching out to the opposition.

Mukherjee had Tuesday met the Left leaders on the same issue, said sources.

Indicating the government was trying to find a solution to the problem, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla said the "government is talking to leaders of different political parties to ensure the house functions smoothly".

Sources said a discussion on price rise was likely next Monday under a rule which does not entail voting.

Sources said the National Democratic Alliance had reached an informal understanding with the Left parties for support on motions on issues of price rise and black money stashed abroad.

BJP leader S. S. Ahluwalia said his party will have no objection if Left parties agree for a debate on price rise without voting.

An adjournment motion on price rise under Rules 56-63 was moved by Left parties in Lok Sabha Wednesday, he said adding the BJP would support the move.

Ahluwalia said the BJP expects similar support from the Left on the issue of black money, an issue repeatedly raised by the party leader L K Advani during his 40-day Jan Chetna yatra.

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Picture of the Day

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Emeritus Senior Minister, Mr. Goh Chok Tong, unveiled the bust and the Marker of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, at Asian Civilizations Museum, in Singapore on November 20, 2011.

(Photo: M. Asokan )