Opposition agrees to compromise on price rise discussion

The week-long deadlock in Parliament over the mode of discussions on the price rise of essential commodities was finally resolved at a breakfast meeting hosted by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee today. Reportedly, the two sides have agreed to use the phrase ''inflationary pressures'' instead of ''price rise'' in the text of a resolution to be adopted by both houses.

Speaking on the outcome of the meet, Communist Party of India leader Gurudas Dasgupta said, "We are happy that parties have been able to come to a consensus. We believe a resolution passed by Parliament will be a parliamentary directive to the government to take further action to contain the negative impact of the price rise, which is hurting common people."

Mukherjee, who is the Congress party's main trouble-shooter, met with senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and other political parties. Leader of the opposition Sushma Swaraj, JD (U) president Sharad Yadav, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia, RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav and others attended the meeting.

Parliamentary affairs Minister P K Bansal and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar were among those from the government side to be present at the meeting.

The compromise formula includes a resolution, the text of which will focus on the impact of the price rise on the 'aam admi' or common man. Both houses will discuss price rise tomorrow 3 August 2010.

The crisis during this monsoon session of parliament was over the opposition's insistence that any discussion on the price rise end with a vote.

The government said it welcomes a debate, but not a vote, because it has already sailed through a cut motion on the same issue earlier this year.