NC, BJP, Cong, PDP Legislature Parties to meet ahead of session
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 28: The Opposition BJP is bracing up to corner Omar Abdullah Government on a host of issues even as the Congress has decided to stick to ‘alliance dharma’ but will not hesitate from taking up people-centric issues in upcoming budget session of the Legislature starting February 2 with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s address.
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The Legislature Party meetings of National Conference, BJP, Congress and PDP are scheduled to be held either on January 31 or February 1 to devise their strategy for the session which will last till April 4 but will have 22 sittings only.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma told the Excelsior that the BJP will forcefully raise the issues of DRWs, opening of two National Law Universities and expenditure of flood-relief package in the areas where more damage was done by flashfloods and heavy rains in August-September last year.
“The Government has to take a decision on DRWs,’’ Sharma said, adding the floods caused extensive damages and the Government must ensure that the package given by the Central Government is spent where the losses were heavy.
On how will he shuttle between Jammu and Assam, where he has been appointed as co-Incharge of the BJP for Assembly elections, the LoP said he will be in Jammu from Day one of the session till the budget presentation and debates.
“As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are scheduled to hold rallies in Assam around February 14, I will have to skip the session but I will stay in touch with the MLAs,’’ Sharma said, adding the BJP Legislature Party will meet here on February 1 to devise the party’s strategy for the Legislature.
The BJP has 29 MLAs in the House of 90, second only to the ruling National Conference which is single largest party with 42 seats, just four short of majority on its own but has the backing of Congress, CPM and Independent MLAs.
PCC (I) chief Tariq Hamid Karra told the Excelsior that the Congress while sticking to ‘alliance dharma’ will not hesitate from raising people’s issues in the Assembly.
“Undoubtedly, we are part of alliance with the National Conference. We will keep this in mind. However, this doesn’t bar us from highlighting issues of the people in Jammu and Kashmir and we will continue to do that,’’ Karra said.
Disclosing that the CLP will meet either on January 31 or February 1, Karra declined to comment on whether joint NC-Congress Legislature Parties meeting will be held ahead of the budget session or not.
“This is for the National Conference to decide,’’ he said.
Sources in the NC said party president Dr Farooq Abdullah will chair the NC Legislature Party meeting but a date hasn’t been finalized as yet. They added that generally the LP meeting is held a day ahead of the session.
“The National Conference is fully prepared to answer all issues raised by the Opposition,’’ they said.
CPM leader and MLA M Y Tarigami said the issues of DRWs and inadequate flood package by the Centre are very significant. Also, he added, imposition of the Public Safety Act (PSA) will also figure in the session.
It may be mentioned here that AAP MLA from Doda Mehraj Malik has been detained under the PSA.
Tarigami said the demand being raised by the BJP leader for separate State for Jammu is damaging interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and this issue will be highlighted in the Legislature.
The PDP with four MLAs is also expected to hold a meeting before the session to draft the party strategy.
The budget session will start on February 2 with LG Manoj Sinha’s Address while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds charge of the Finance Department, will present his second budget on February 6.
As reported today, Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has also called an all party-cum-Business Advisory Committee meeting on January 30.
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