The Nationalist Congress Party’s decision to back the National Democratic Alliance government’s Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Ordinance has embarrassed its United Progressive Alliance ally, the Congress.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who has backed the Congress’s bid to get the Leader of Opposition status in the Lok Sabha, has made it clear that he will not accept the Congress’ line on every issue.
The Congress has taken the position that the TRAI Act should not be amended merely to ensure the appointment of former TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra as the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, as it has larger implications. In future, the party argues, other TRAI chairmen may not be as independent as they should be in the hope that they may get another plum government assignment. The NCP, however, believes that the Prime Minister should be allowed to choose his own officials.
For the Congress, which is coming to grips with its depleted numbers and trying to play a commanding role in floor management in Parliament, the first week of the budget session has presented opportunities as well as exposed the chinks in its armour.
The Congress began on a strong note, going on the offensive, demanding an adjournment motion on the price rise issue in both Houses. In the Rajya Sabha, the demand was accepted immediately and things moved smoothly, but in the Lok Sabha, the government opposed the adjournment motion saying it was willing for a debate under Rule 193 – that has no provision for voting – and the matter lingered on for a couple of days.
The Congress found ready support for its endeavour with the Trinamool Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Samajwadi Party, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Left parties all up on their feet demanding a discussion on price hike and increase in rail fares.
But clearly on the two controversial ordinances — the TRAI and the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill — things have not been as smooth for the Congress. In the case of the amendment to the TRAI Act, the Congress not only has differences with the NCP, it has also not been able to make common cause with the Trinamool.
When the Trinamool opposed the introduction of the Bill in the Lok Sabha, the Congress’s position was that it will oppose the Bill when it comes up for discussion.
Not just that, senior Congress sources in the Rajya Sabha have said while the party will oppose the amendments to the TRAI Act, it may not press for division but, instead, stage a walkout.
On the AP Bill, the Congress, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, the Biju Janata Dal, the Trinamool and the AIMIM were all on the same side, but there were differences on whether the introduction of the Bill should be opposed or the Bill should be opposed after introduction in the House. Indeed, if the latter approach had been adopted, there might have been a proper debate with the Opposition parties’ positions coming through in a clearer manner, followed by division rather than the Bill being passed by a voice vote in the midst of the din.
