NDA to give up stalling Parliament

NEW DELHI, JULY 6 (PTI)

Ending the stalemate in Parliament, the BJP-led NDA today decided to give up its strategy of stalling proceedings.

It will however, boycott the presentation of Railway Budget by Lalu Prasad in protest against inclusion of "tainted" ministers in the Government.

"Unlike the Congress, the Communists and the RJD, who frequently disrupted the proceedings of the House during the six-year long rule of the Vajpayee Government, the NDA believes in the smooth functioning of Parliament. The NDA will perform its duty conscientiously," said a resolution, adopted at a specially convened meeting of all NDA MPs.

Addressing an impromptu press conference after the meeting, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha L K Advani said, "it was felt the proceedings should be allowed and important issues should be discussed.

"This form (stalling of proceedings) of protest will end today. There will be different forms of protest, which will be suggested by a Sub-Committee formed today."

Today's decision ends the impasse witnessed in Parliament since the opening session of the 14th Lok Sabha when BJP-led NDA stalled proceedings during the entire brief session resulting in the motion of thanks to the President's Address being adopted without discussion.

Advani said the decision to give up stalling tactics has been taken after taking into account various factors including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's appeal to him and senior leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee to end the stalemate.

However, the resolution said NDA will continue to highlight its demand for removal of "tainted" ministers, both within and outside Parliament, until it is met.