With the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) set to move an adjournment motion on the Nandigram violence in the Lok Sabha on Monday and the Left strongly opposing it and rather pressing for a discussion on the Indo-US nuclear deal, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Thursday held  meeting with his key Cabinet colleagues to work out a way out from the impasse.
Dr Singh had an  hour-long meeting with  external affairs Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee, defence minister Mr A K Antony and home Minister Shivraj Patil. The Nandigram issue apart, the meeting also took up the nuclear issue.
State subject
The BJP on Thursday demanded discussion on Nandigram “just as  in the case of Gujarat” but the Left decided not to allow a discussion on Nandigram saying it was a “state subject”.
“Parliament functions according to rules. Whatever the rules permit can be discussed.
Nandigram can be discussed in the West Bengal assembly but not in Parliament,” CPI leader Mr Gurudas Dasgupta told news persons after meeting of Left parties.
The meeting took place in the backdrop of BJP’s plans to move an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on the situation in Nandigram where the NDA has accused the UPA government of “Dhritarashtra-like inaction” on the issue.
Senior BJP leader V K Malhotra said Nandigram was not a state issue exclusively as it pertains to acquisition of land for Special Economic Zone, which is a central subject.
Asked whether his party would demand the sacking of  the West Bengal Chief Minister he said, “Yes, he should be sacked.”
On Indo-US nuclear deal, he said that there was no change in BJP’s stand and it would press for a discussion under a rule which entails voting.
The Prime Minister on Thursday visited former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to elicit his support for the nuclear deal.
Parliament will have a three-day break with both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to observe holiday on Friday in view of Chhath Puja. 

FESTIVAL HOLIDAY


Three-day break for Parliament
New Delhi, PTI: Parliament will have a three-day break with both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha deciding to
observe holiday on Friday in view of Chhath Puja, a popular festival in parts of northern India.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha followed suit. The winter session began on Thursday without transacting any business as the two houses were adjourned after making obituary references.
“As decided by the Business Advisory Committee..., the sitting of the Lok Sabha fixed for Friday, November 16, 2007 has been cancelled,” the Lok Sabha bulletin said. The two Houses have decided to having sittings on December 1, a Saturday, to make up for Friday’s holiday. .