NEW DELHI: A claim by Congress floor leaders at a party meeting on Sunday that they had heard from the government side that the Budget session could be curtailed in view of assembly elections in five states triggered strong reaction within the party.
Sources said the claim saw Congress chief Sonia Gandhi ask colleagues to wait and see if such a proposal was made by the government. “Why should we be seen as curtailing the House?” she is reported to have asked, possibly concerned about the speculation stemming from the opposition camp. The Congress brass expressed disagreement with any plan for early conclusion of the session. It is waiting to see if such proposal is made in the business advisory committee meetings of the Houses likely to be held on Monday.
Congress managers in the Houses are from poll-bound states. Key opposition parties and a chunk of Congress MPs are likely to be away for campaigning. With speculation if a tacit nod had been given by opposition leaders, Congress managers said any such move would set a wrong precedent.