This Article is From Nov 30, 2015

Parliament to Discuss Intolerance, But Gaps Appear in Opposition Ranks

PM Modi has expressed confidence that the GST bill will be passed after holding a series of meetings with the opposition parties last week.

New Delhi: The Winter session of Parliament got off to a smooth start on November 26, with lawmakers debating various provisions of the Indian Constitution on the first Constitution Day and the 125th birth anniversary of its architect, BR Ambedkar. But will Parliament once again witness disruptions as the discussion on growing intolerance gets underway on Monday?

There is a clear divide in the Opposition on the matter.

At the all-party meeting held on November 25 in the backdrop of actor Aamir Khan's remarks on "growing intolerance", the opposition parties had made a strong pitch for an early discussion on the issue. They have insisted that the returning of awards by writers, artistes and filmmakers should not be taken lightly.

On Sunday, Congress' KC Venugopal, who has given a notice to start the discussion, avoided a response. His colleague in the Rajya Sabha, Rajeev Shukla said: "The intolerance issue will be certainly raised along with inflation."

But Sultan Ahmed of West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress says raising issues for debates shouldn't transform into disruptions.

"We want the House to discuss every issue including intolerance, but there should no disruption," Mr Ahmed said, adding, "Disruptions are also a kind of intolerance!"

Trinamool's stance holds out hope for the government which is keen to pass the Goods and Services tax - Modi government's flagship legislative agenda - in the current session of Parliament.

To get the Congress on board, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already held a chai pe charcha with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh on Friday.

The Congress is yet to formally spell out its stand after the Prime Minister's meeting with their party president but Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the junior minister for Parliamentary Affairs, expressed optimism.

Speaking to NDTV, Mr Naqvi said: "The issues that are related to the development of the country don't belong to any party. I am sure all parties will come forward for the development of the country."

Both PM Modi and Union finance minister Arun Jaitley have also expressed confidence that the GST bill will be passed after holding a series of meetings with the opposition parties last week.
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