BJP is set to raise issues like price rise and telecom scam in the coming monsoon session of Parliament but is wary of coming under joint attack by Congress and Left parties on issues of alleged involvement of Hindu groups in some blasts and Communal Violence Bill.
"Price rise will be a key issue for us," a senior BJP MP said. The party will stage a march from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhawan to submit 10 crore signatures to President Pratibha Patil on July 29.
The 2-G spectrum allocation controversy will also be highlighted by BJP in the monsoon session. "The gap between 3-G and 2-G spectrum has shown the extent of the scam and we will raise this issue again in this session," a BJP leader said.
The cases of alleged financial irregularities in IPL, relations with Pakistan and recent controversy over Foreign Minister-level talks, the Naxal threat and the law and order problem in Kashmir will also be highlighted by the opposition.
The BJP is also likely to oppose the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Bill. "We feel there is no need for such a Bill if the government is the lone operator. Our main concern is prompt and adequate compensation to victims", the BJP MP said.
The UPA government is reportedly open to increasing the liability cap from the Rs 500 crore as stated in the Bill but BJP is unlikely to be impressed by this.
The Communal Violence Bill is a major concern for BJP which fears the states where the party is in power may be targetted by the Centre in the event of riots there.
BJP sources said the party will oppose it on the grounds that it encroaches on powers of state governments and gives the Centre power to intervene in the affairs of a state.
Congress leaders are also likely to raise the issue of alleged illegal mining and excess export of iron ore by the Reddy brothers in Karnataka.
The Food Security Bill is not likely to come up for discussion in the forthcoming session as UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has suggested inclusion of more provisions within the legislation to broaden its ambit. However, whenever it is brought in Parliament, the opposition will favour it.
While BJP and Left parties may stand together on issues like price rise and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Bill, the Left is likely to take on BJP on recent allegations of RSS' alleged involvement in Hindu terror groups and the Communal Violence Bill.
BJP leaders feel the distance between it and the Left is likely to increase as assembly polls in West Bengal draw near. PTI
