Session may end early as BJP adamant

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Speculation is now rife in political circles that the Monsoon Session of Parliament might be ended ahead of schedule if the current standoff between the government and the Opposition over the allocation of coal blocks is not swiftly resolved.

The session, which began August 8, is due to end on September 7. The option of a 'sine die' adjournment in the next few days is not ruled out.

The two Houses will meet again on Monday after the weekend break, but there is little hope that any business can be done.

The presiding officers can do very little to resolve this deadlock, which has got highly political and could set the tone for the coming electoral battle between the Congress and the BJP. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will hold a meeting of floor leaders Monday morning (not an all-party meeting), but this is unlikely to break the ice, sources said.

Some had earlier suggested that Ms Sushma Swaraj, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, could call a meeting of political leaders, but this is unlikely given the sharp differences in Opposition ranks, with the Left in particular extremely wary of being seen on the same side as the BJP.

The SP, BSP, RJD and JD(S) are not regarded as part of the Opposition as they back the UPA unconditionally. Thus they cannot take any initiative to break the logjam.

The mood in the BJP is firm on not diluting its demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s resignation. The government has rejected this outright, and launched an offensive against the BJP.

Within the NDA, the JD(U) (which had broken away to back Pranab Mukherjee for President) appears uneasy with the BJP’s adamant stand on the PM’s resignation, due to which Parliament has already lost an entire week.

Non-NDA parties like the Left, BJD, TDP and others might be keen to discuss the matter in Parliament, but they cannot afford to dilute the issue, which could become the electoral plank of non-UPA parties.

The government is keen that Parliament functions so that the Prime Minister can make a statement. If the Houses remain stalled, he may address the nation on television to clarify his position on the coal controversy.