Modi is likely to speak up on recent controversies to reiterate commitment towards growth, equality ,
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to take the opportunity of the winter session of Parliament to set the record straight on various crucial issues agitating the minds of politicians, the intelligentsia and the common man. The government hopes that the reiteration of its commitment for economic growth and the philosophy of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ would not only help control the damage incurred over the past few months but also reassure the global community of any doubts about the atmosphere in the country. Among the major issues that PM Modi is scheduled to speak on the floor of the two houses are allegations of rising intolerance in the country and the apprehension in a big section of the population that the RSS, the ideological mentor of the BJP, wants a review on reservations.
Sources told FPJ that PM Modi would be intervening in the debate over intolerance whenever it comes up for discussion. Referring to the opposition’s demand for a debate on incidents like Dadri and killings of writers, parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told reporters soon after an all-party meeting, ‘Such incidents lie in the domain of the state government. Neither our government nor the party has anything to do with these incidents. The government is ready for discuss-ion in appropriate manner if desired by opposition.’’ BJP managers admitted that even though they did not think the intolerance charge was true, the campaign was hurting the government’s efforts to invite FDI and investments from abroad.
‘‘We shall reply forcefully and accurately to these canards,’’ emphasised BJP spokesman MJ Akbar on the demand for debate. Likewise, the two day special discussion devoted to the constitution of India and the contributions of BR Ambedkar would prove a handy occasion for the government to reaffirm its commitment towards the constitutional guarantee of reservation for SC/ST/OBCs. Even though the BJP had rushed to clarify its stand just hours after the damaging interview of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, the party apparently failed in its mission as proved by the humiliating loss in Bihar. Bhagwat’s ‘review quota’ call has since been pointed out as a major factor for the BJP’s drubbing, both inside the party and by its allies.
The PM, who is slated to speak at the end of the debate in both houses, would most likely reiterate that there was no question of tampering with the reservation system. The constitution debate would be initiated by Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha and Arun Jaitley in the Rajya Sabha.