New Delhi:
The portents of a Mayawati-Mulayam clash holding up Parliament proceedings over a "quota in promotions bill" were clear even as the two UP powerhouses played their parts in the retail FDI script to help the government win a crucial vote in both Houses last week.
The war over FDI or Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail won, the two parties are back to squabbling over new legislation that would reserve promotions in government jobs for Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/STs). The Samajwadi Party did not allow the Rajya Sabha to function yesterday protesting against the government's move to introduce the Bill and has threatened to continue that form of protest. Mayawati has warned the government of "a tough stand" if it does not push through new legislation.
The Congress, which leads the UPA coalition government, supports the bill; but caught between its two allies, both of which provide crucial external support, the government has called for an all-party meeting to break the deadlock.
The Congress' Core Group, meanwhile, is meeting to decide on Parliament strategy. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister AK Antony, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath are attending the meeting.
Though she did not threaten to end that support she gives to the Manmohan Singh government, Mayawati said yesterday, "We will wait and see and if the government does not pass this bill, we will be forced to take a tough stand. We can go to any extent."
Mulayam Singh Yadav's party has threatened to disrupt Parliament "every day" if the government tries to move ahead on the controversial bill. "We will disrupt the House and not allow it to function if the bill (for reservation to SC/ST in job promotions) is passed...We will continue to oppose the bill and we are ready for suspension," SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav said told reporters in Delhi. As a trailer, it forced the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha today with its members shouting slogans against the quota bill.
Reservation in government jobs for Dalits and others would cause resentment within Mr Yadav's vote-bank of backward castes and Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.
"This is dividing society...how can you benefit one by taking away rights of others?" asked Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party.
Last week, Ms Mayawati and Mr Yadav rescued the government during a crucial vote on its new retail reforms in Parliament. That vote was held under duress by the government to end a deadlock that had paralysed parliament. Crucial legislation is pending and the Prime Minister is eager to move forward on his next set of economic reforms, including opening up the insurance and pension sectors to foreign investors - contentious measures for which the support of Mr Yadav and Ms Mayawati will be essential.