New Delhi:
Facing the specter of a united opposition planning to target the government on several issues and thwart the attempts to push legislation during the budget session of Parliament, the NDA leaders held a first of its kind meeting today to carve out a united response.
Here are the 10 latest developments in this story:
After the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu said, "The NDA has agreed to create a Common policy approach during the winter session of Parliament to ensure that the alliance can use the session to take the government's agenda forward".
The budget session of Parliament begins on February 23, during which, the opposition is expected to stall proceedings over various issues including President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh, Pathankot terror attack, talks with Pakistan and the suicide of Hyderabad scholar Rohith Vemula.
The President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh is a ticklish issue for the government. The Centre's move has to be ratified by the two houses but though the government enjoys majority in the lower house, it does not have the numbers in the Upper House.
With the BJP keen to create consensus on all these issues, today's meeting was attended by top leaders of allies -- Sukhbir Badal of Akali Dal, N Chandrababu Naidu of Telugu Desam Party and BJP president Amit Shah.
The inclusion of the NDA allies at the parliamentary strategy meet made it unlike any held over the last 20 months since the formation of the Narendra Modi government.
During the last few parliamentary sessions, the NDA partners had struck discordant notes on issues like land acquisition and the debate on intolerance.Thereafter, PM Modi had asked for regular NDA meetings to ensure all allies remain on the same page.
But so far, the meetings to discuss parliamentary strategy were attended by the floor leaders of parties and BJP's senior leaders in parliament.
Sources said the NDA leaders agreed to counter the opposition's charge and push crucial legislations like the flagship Goods and Services Tax bill.
Venkaiah Naidu said it was also decided in the meeting that if alliance partners have a conflict, it would be "resolved through one-on-one meetings between the allies"."
It was decided that a dispute redressal mechanism will be created and the government will provide the NDA allies detailed notes on its policy initiatives for farmers and other sections.
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