Lok Sabha to discuss price rise tomorrow

Government appears to have defused a confrontation for now in Parliament by persuading the Opposition to have a discussion on the issue of price rise in the Lok Sabha tomorrow under a rule that does not entail voting.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told reporters that the Lower House would take up the discussion on the statement of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the price situation.

Bansal's announcement is significant given the fact that earlier in the day the Left parties had declared that they are firm on taking up an adjournment motion in Parliament on spiralling prices.

The Winter Session of Parliament had got off to a stormy start today with opposition in the Lok Sabha raising a variety of issues and the Left parties protesting against price rise and giving an adjournment motion on the issue.

Bansal's announcement came close on the heels of a luncheon meeting Mukherjee had with the Left leaders and Business Advisory Committee meeting of the Lok Sabha.

The Left leaders present at the luncheon meeting with Mukherjee were CPI-M leaders Sitaram Yechury and Basudeb Acharia and CPI's Gurudas Dasgupta and D Raja.

Congress sources said that Mukherjee would be reaching out with other parties also including the BJP through such luncheon meetings. A meeting with SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav is likely tomorrow.