Opp, Sena raise pitch on HPCL, BPCL divestment

Much to the discomfiture of the Government, key BJP-ally Shiv Sena persisted with its resistance to disinvestment of the HPCL and BPCL and j...

Much to the discomfiture of the Government, key BJP-ally Shiv Sena persisted with its resistance to disinvestment of the HPCL and BPCL and joined the Opposition to demand that the Government take Parliament into confidence over the issue.

A belligerent Opposition today paralysed the Lok Sabha to oppose the disinvestment of the two PSUs, forcing Speaker Manohar Joshi to adjourn it twice, the second for the rest of the day.

The issue dominated the House proceedings throughout the day, starting with a disruption of Question Hour, followed by a consumption of Zero Hour. Finally, Joshi adjourned the House as Congress members stormed the Well shouting ‘‘Desh ko bechna band karo (stop selling the country)’’ during the post-lunch sitting.

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Congress chief whip Priyaranjan Dasmunshi demanded a firm assurance from the Government that it would not disinvest the oil companies.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj maintained the matter was listed for a debate on May 8. She said the Government would come out with its response only after a full-fledged discussion.

Dasmunshi said, ‘‘Can you deny it officially? The process has started without taking Parliament into confidence.’’

Shiv Sena’s Chadrakant Khaire said his party was consistent in its opposition to the sale of the oil companies. ‘‘Even Ram Naik ji is with us,’’ he said and cautioned the BJP to stop the sale, failing which the country may turn to the ‘‘Leader of the Opposition’’.