After days of Parliament logjam, the Centre and Opposition's INDIA bloc may have reached a consensus with regard to the Manipur discussion in Rajya Sabha. This came as the government on Thursday reached out to the Opposition leaders to break the logjam in the Upper House.
As per unconfirmed reports, Opposition leaders may drop their demand for a statement from the Prime Minister on the ethnic conflict in the northeastern state, but would still insist on the debate in Rajya Sabha to take place under Rule 167, which includes a resolution to be passed at the end. The government has so far been adamant about the discussion happening under Rule 267.
The first hint in this direction was given by Congress chief whip Jairam Ramesh, who tweeted that a suggestion had been mooted by the opposition. "INDIA parties have offered a middle path solution to the Leader of the House to break the logjam and get a discussion on Manipur going in an uninterrupted manner in the Rajya Sabha. Hope the Modi government agrees."
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien too confirmed that the opposition had offered a 'middle path solution'. "INDIA parties in Rajya Sabha want a discussion on Manipur. We have no ego or arrogance. Manipur needs healing. INDIA parties don’t believe in roadblocks. We've offered a concrete ‘Middle Path’ solution. We remain optimistic that the govt accepts it," he said.
The Opposition reportedly decided to budge on the PM’s statement after its delegation met President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday. "Meeting the president was the key moment for us. The Opposition parties met on Thursday to plan a new strategy. Now the onus to discuss Manipur lies with the government," Hindustan Times quoted a senior Opposition leader. The Opposition wants "efforts to restore peace" and "violence against women" to be a part of the motion.
However, the government is yet to take a decision and the resolution to be adopted at the end of the debate could be "a point of contention".
There are also other issues, including the fact that the chair had already given sanction for the discussion to take place under Rule 176. However, the INDIA leaders want it under Rule 267 and have insisted that MPs who gave notices for the discussion to be taken up under Rule 176 withdraw their request, the Hindustan Times added.
Meanwhile, the INDIA parties floor leaders will hold a meeting on Friday at 10 am in the office of LoP Rajya Sabha in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the House.
