The Congress on Saturday said that the Government is holding informal consultations with various political parties to convene a Special Session of Parliament in order to pass the Food Security Bill and the land Acquisition Bill. But the final decision would depend on the Opposition’s approach on the issue.
Blaming the Opposition for non-passage of these crucial pro-people Bills, by frequent disruptions during the recently concluded Budget Session, Congress spokesperson PC Chacko said, “We are not against Special Session of Parliament for early discussion and passage of these Bills.
Informal discussions with the Opposition leaders are on to make them agree. But it depends on their attitude.” However, he clarified that no final decision has been taken or dates fixed for such a session, which can only be held if a wider consensus is reached on the issue. He questioned the intention of the main Opposition BJP on these Bills and said that despite Congress president Sonia Gandhi reaching out to the leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj the Opposition continued disrupting Parliament and had even decided to boycott Speaker Meira Kumar’s meeting to resolve the Parliament impasse.
Significantly, the Congress Core Group had on Friday mulled various options available for early passage of the Bills-be it Ordinance mode, hold Special Session or bring it in the Monsoon Session-but no decision was taken. The Congress wants their earlier passage as these two legislations could be the game changer and help its electoral fortune, but is not sure about taking ordinance route due to technical complications involved in the Constitution Amendment Bill.