TMC-BJP patch-up: token march against land bill, no more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a meeting in New Delhi on Monday. (Source: PTI)

After nine months of bluster, the Trinamool Congress is set to fall in line. Having decided to let the coal and mining bills through, it is planning a tactical withdrawal on the land bill with a Parliament-to-Rashtrapati Bhawan march. PM Narendra Modi has reportedly accepted Mamata Banerjee’s invitation to travel to Kolkata and may do so during Ramnavami.

The TMC is likely to vote against the insurance bill in Rajya Sabha but should the Congress evade a vote by walking out or other means, the 10 TMC votes are unlikely to make much difference. While officially there is no word whether the party will continue its opposition to the land bill in Rajya Sabha, there are indications that if the bill does come up for voting, it may consider walking out instead of voting against it.

It has also suggested to the government that a fresh ordinance be brought to buy six more months to try “softening” other parties . On FDI in insurance, though, the party may issue a whip asking all members to vote against it.

Meanwhile, the Environment Ministry Wednesday cleared 38 projects in Bengal. This came through after a meeting of state Finance Minister Amit Mitra with Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.

The re-calibration comes after Mamata met Modi Monday. Mamata had said she had requested the PM for a loan moratorium which is under consideration. Two days later, TMC leaders highlight the Rs 22000 crore extra that the state will get in tax devolution and revenue deficit grant.

On Tuesday, MoS (Coal) Piyush Goyal met Mamata at Abhishek Banerjee’s home. “Mamatadi made three suggestions on the mining bill, which were accepted. On the land bill we have requested all opposition parties to march… to submit a memorandum to the President,” Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien said.

Source:: Indian Express