Party role reversal at home

KOLKATA: It is a shift of gear for all frontline political parties in Bengal.
If Trinamool Congress and Left had been so insistent on a debate-and-vote in Parliament on the FDI issue, they feel their purpose will be served by only a debate on Bengal's law and order in the state assembly.
For Congress, it's just the opposite - they want a vote after the debate. But unlike UPA-II, in Bengal the numbers are heavily stacked in favour of the Mamata Banerjee government.
Speaker Biman Banerjee has kept aside Thursday for non-official discussions. The House is expected to debate two issues: first, the state government's criticism of the central pollution norms that are hampering industry in Nayachar and Haldia, and second, the Congress and Left Front's concern on "deteriorating law and order" in Bengal.
Left wants a debate, Congress wants a voting to follow the debate.
Parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee said, "The fact that Congress wants a debate-and-vote, wasn't mentioned in the business advisory committee meeting. We are ready for a discussion."
But Congress leader Manas Bhunia later told reporters, "We will not only move four adjournment motions, we will also insist on a discussion on law and order under Rule 185 (debate-and-vote) in the assembly." Bhunia also chose to term their floor-arrangement with Left as issue-specific and not a long term arrangement. But when Congress legislative party leader Md Sohrab was asked whether Congress will stick to Rule 185, with Trinamool and Left keen on only a debate, he replied, "We will decide then."
The winter session will continue till December 13 when seven Bills are likely to be tabled.
Union minister of state Deepa Das Munshi met Governor M K Narayanan and alleged that law and order was worsening in the state. "I met the Governor and drew his attention to the breakdown in law and order in the state. The Trinamool government is responsible for this," Das Munshi said.
Das Munshi, who escorted Pratima Dutta, widow of slain Trinamool Congress leader of Bally, Tapan Dutta, to the Governor, said "criminals are moving scot free with the state government giving them protection."