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Cong appeals Oppn to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament

November 18, 2011 19:40 IST

With the opposition parties closing ranks to raise the heat on price rise and other issues, the Congress on Friday appealed to them to allow smooth functioning of Parliament to pass key bills including Lokpal.

"Parliament is for debate and discussion. We are ready to discuss all issues. Many legislations important for people of the country including Lokpal Bill and Judicial Accountability Bill are being brought in this session.

"I urge all parties to allow smooth functioning of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the winter session so that these crucial bills can be passed," party spokesperson Rashid Alvi told the media in New Delhi.

Maintaining that ensuring smooth functioning of Parliament is "responsibility of all parties", Alvi urged the Opposition to take a decision "rising above politics" in the interest of the nation and the people.

The ruling party's reaction came a day after the Opposition parties indicated that the winter session starting from November 22 is going to be a stormy one with the Communist Party of India saying that it will bring an adjournment motion to discuss the government's "failure" to implement the resolution adopted in in the last session in Parliament to check spiralling prices.

While the Janata Dal United President and National Democratic Alliance convenor Sharad Yadav said that all opposition parties will be united on the issue of corruption, the Janata Party has said it will discuss a strategy for common floor coordination with other parties during the session.

The government plans to take up 34 bills, while Opposition wants discussion on around 45 issues during the session. They include government's move to introduce foreign direct investment in pension, caste census, Telangana and recent developments in India-Pakistan ties after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation visit.

The monsoon session had failed to transact much business despite heavy official agenda as opposition parties disrupted proceeding over a range of issues, including Lokpal and 2G scam.

The winter session last year was a total washout as a determined opposition did not allow Parliament to run demanding setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the 2G scam.