Stage set for stormy Winter Session of Parliament

The stage is set for a stormy Winter Session of Parliament beginning tomorrow with a united opposition firm on discussion on FDI in retail under a rule that entails voting, a demand the government is not ready to accept at least for now.

Trinamool Congress appeared isolated on its plans to move a no-confidence motion against the UPA government with the Left and the BJP among others showing no inclination to support it.

An all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on the eve of the Winter Session saw the Opposition making common cause on the issue of FDI in retail accusing the government of violating the assurance given to Parliament that all stakeholders would be consulted before going ahead with the decision.

"We want the House to run, we wish to cooperate in running the House, there are several issues waiting to be discussed. But, our pre-condition is that the issue on which an assurance was given to the House be taken up first under a rule that entails voting," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj told reporters here.

She was referring to the assurance given to Parliament by the then Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee in the Winter Session last year that a decision on FDI in retail would be kept in abeyance till all stakeholders were consulted.

"But that assurance was completely and openly violated by the government. It is important for political parties to express their view on FDI in retail in Parliament and this can be done only through voting," Swaraj said.

CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta spoke in a similar vein and was apprehensive about the functioning of Parliament at least for the first few days.

Leaders of SP and BSP, key outside supporters of the UPA, kept cards close to their chest saying a decision on the issue would be taken by tomorrow.