New Delhi:
The landmark insurance bill that represents the BJP-led government's first major legislative reform is set to face a test of numbers in Parliament, with many opposition parties threatening to stonewall it.
As the winter session began today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded lawmakers from all parties that, "All MPs have a responsibility to run the country."
Here are 10 developments in this story:
Union minister Venkaiah Naidu said he was confident of winning the support of major opposition parties. "We are committed. We want insurance reforms at the earliest and I am confident of getting the support of major opposition parties as they have all given a commitment," he said.
The Trinamool Congress of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has said it will oppose the bill, which seeks to raise the cap on foreign direct investment in the insurance sector.
"There is no question of passing the bill. First let it be taken up, clause by clause, in the select committee," said Trinamool leader Derek O'Brien.
The Congress, which is the largest opposition party, appears to be undecided. "We will discuss the insurance bill with all opposition parties and try to make a unanimous decision," said Congress leader Kamal Nath.
Mayawati, the chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party, also today refused to reveal her cards. "Our opposition will not be irresponsible," Mayawati, the chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party, told reporters, insisting that she would not be influenced by other parties.
On Sunday, after an all-party meeting, Janata Dal United lawmaker KC Tyagi had said his party, the Trinamool, CPM and others would block the Insurance Bill.
Mr Tyagi's party and others belonging to what they call the "Janata Parivar" - including Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, and the Janata Dal (Secular) of HD Deve Gowda - have said they will function as a pressure group in Parliament.
Before the session began, PM Modi said he hoped the opposition would continue to play "a constructive role" and reminded that all MPs have a responsibility to run the nation. "We have to work with a calm mind in the cold climate. We all friends who sit in Parliament will work together - that's my belief," he said.
PM Modi took office in May vowing to restore economic momentum and end years of policy paralysis, but the government can't pass legislation without the support of the Congress-led opposition, which has a majority in the Rajya Sabha.
The winter session will continue till December 23 and will have 22 sittings. Besides the insurance bill, the government has detailed 36 other bills it wants passed, among them the Goods and Service Tax bill.
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