BJP undecided on all-party meet

The government had merely circulated two drafts its as well as the civil societys. We dont know what final shape the Bill would take, a senior leader said.

BJP chief Nitin Gadkari told The Indian Express that a decision would be taken at a meeting of NDA leaders on July 2,indicating that the party has not yet made up its mind. Senior BJP leaders led by L K Advani would also meet members of Team Anna on July 1 to understand their views.

Gadkari said the party would decide its stance and spell it out once the government comes up with the Bill in Parliament. When the Government introduces the Bill in Parliament,we as Opposition will cooperate if it is alright and proper and if it is otherwise,we will seek amendments, he said. This is a marked difference from the partys earlier stand outlined by Gadkari himself in his reply to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

In his letter earlier this month,Gadkari had said the government can consult the BJP for its suggestions before the Bill is introduced in Parliament. He had also pointed out that if there was a divergence of opinion between members of the drafting committee,the final proposals carrying both viewpoints can be sent to us for our views at that stage.

He said the convention has been that when a Bill is tabled in Parliament,PM or a Cabinet colleague generally consults Leaders of the Opposition. In this case,they have formed a committee with civil society members. We are the principal Opposition party… we were not consulted…. Leaders of the Opposition were neither taken into confidence nor consulted, he said.

Gadkari underlined that the government only remembered the Opposition when its talks with civil society broke down.