NEW DELHI: The prospects of food security bill brightened on Monday with BJP saying that it was not opposed to the bill and urged the government to advance the monsoon session of Parliament.
Congress continued to show urgency about the food bill with parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath saying that all options were open to promulgate the bill, which will mean an Ordinance route as well as a special session of Parliament to debate.
The BJP appeared to have found a middle path by saying instead of a special session, an early monsoon session can be convened, even saying that it could also cooperate on the land acquisition bill.
BJP chief Rajnath Singh said in Hyderabad, "We want the bills to be passed with some amendments." Voicing concern over the government’s plan to bring ordinances to enact the legislation, he said the "government should not play a cruel joke on the people".
Given the Opposition’s stand, it would now be for Congress to set the house in order. While rival JD(U) expressed support, ally SP said the party was against the law.
Responding to party leader Yashwant Sinha describing the food security bill as a "disaster" and an "assault on the federal system of India", Singh said the bill should be debated and passed with certain amendments.
Singh took exception to the government’s allegation that the BJP was stalling Parliament and said it was the government’s responsibility to run the House smoothly.
"Had the ministers for railways and law resigned when the BJP demanded it during the budget session, the food security and land acquisition bills would have been passed," he said. "Why did the two ministers resign later if our demand was not justified?" he asked.