Strong criticism from its major outside supporter Samajwadi Party’s leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and failure to evolve a consensus among allies forced the UPA Coordination Committee on Monday to defer a decision on the Food Security Bill.
Instead, the UPA leadership decided to seek a consensus among alliance partners to launch an armed offensive against Maoists, who recently killed the entire State leadership of the Congress in Chhattisgarh. It was decided to hold an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.
The Congress, however, asserted that bringing the Food Security Bill is a commitment, which will be fulfilled. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said all options are open.
The Government is already holding informal consultation with the Opposition to explore the possibility of holding a Special Session of Parliament. Kamal Nath said that the party would like to hear out the Opposition parties at the all-party meeting. This could be the part of the Government strategy to force the Opposition to come out with their options on the pro-poor legislation which will provide wheat at Rs 2 per kg and rice Rs 3 per kg to 67 per cent of the population.
But at the UPA Coordination Committee, which met after a long gap and that too after public demand by ally NCP, allies emphasised that Naxal issue should be discussed first as it is the need of the hour.
Since the Food Security Bill has already been cleared by the Union Cabinet, and NCP leader and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's stated position is that the Bill should be passed after a discussion in Parliament, the Congress realises it was imperative to bring the Opposition parties on board on the Constitution Amendment Bill.
Kamal Nath termed the May 25 Maoist attack as attack on democratic set up of the country and informed that a detailed discussion was held on the incident.
He said that an all-party meeting will be held on the issue. The Congress, which was earlier attacked by Opposition for being soft on terror, wants to put in spot the BJP-led Raman Singh Government in Chhattisgarh where Assembly polls is going to be held by the year end.
Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmad said that Food Security Bill is commitment of their party and the Government will decide on whether to hold a Special Session of Parliament or bring an Ordinance.
Sources said that even the idea of preponing the Monsoon session, a suggestion of the BJP, is acceptable.Earlier, key UPA ally Samajwadi Party joined left parties in expressing reservation over the Food Security Bill, saying it is "anti-farmer" and will deprive them from getting their proper dues.
"The day the Bill is implemented, farmers will not get proper dues for their produce," SP leader Naresh Agarwal said. He apprehended that the Government was looking towards mid-term elections by bringing this legislation. "SP opposes this Bill as it is anti-farmer," he said.
Opposing the Bill in its present form, left parties demanded the amendments moved by them should be "seriously" considered by the Government. Noting that the first priority of the Government should be the introduction of the Bill in the Monsoon session, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said, "There should be discussion on it and important amendments moved by the party should be seriously considered."
She said six crore tonnes of foodgrains have been rotting in the country and the Government has done nothing to address the issue.CPI leader D Raja strongly opposed the idea of bringing an Ordinance on food security and said the legislation in its present form is "defective and unacceptable".
"The Food Security Bill framed by the UPA Government is unacceptable in its existing form as it suffers from several defects and a comprehensive and thorough debate is essential before it is considered for passage in Parliament," Raja said.