Food ordinance: BJP says govt running away from Parliament

Dubbing the government's decision to bring an ordinance on food security as an "election gimmick", BJP today accused Congress of running away from a debate on the crucial issue in Parliament.

The opposition party said by bringing an ordinance towards the fag end of UPA government's tenure, Congress was trying to score some brownie points which may help the party face the public after big scams and corruption cases came to light during its rule.

"If today the Congress party and the government have decided to go in the route of the ordinance, it is very clear that they are running away from debate.

"They are not interested in having a debate because many facts or many gaps in this Bill will be highlighted by all political parties and their own lack of clarity, their own lack of preparedness in presenting a comprehensive well- drafted bill will come out," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

"I think this is just an election gimmick rather than a sincere desire to help the poor with food security," she said.

Sitharaman said it is clear that the intention of Congress is only for election purposes and for garnering votes and not helping the poor.

The BJP leader said the party had made it clear that the Food Security Bill is a key Bill as it has important implications on the society, on the budget and on the way the Indian poor would be given food security and thus needed to be discussed.
BJP, she said, had suggested that the Monsoon Session of Parliament be advanced and no special session was required for the passage of the Bill.