NDA for suspension of Question Hour, debate under Rule 184

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) The NDA today unanimously decided to seek suspension of Question Hour in the Lok Sabha on Monday for a discussion on the 123 Agreement under Rule 184.

"We will not budge from our stand. Leaders of NDA have taken a unanimous stand to demand a discussion under Rule 184 on Indo-US Nuclear Deal. We are going to raise it right at the start of the sitting of the House on Monday," asserted BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra after a meeting of NDA leaders held at former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence this evening.

All constituents of the NDA, including Shiv Sena, attended the meeting and all were unanimous that the issue concerned national interest and their demand for a discussion under Rule 184 must be accepted, he said.

The issue, the leaders felt, was important, and the sense of the House must be taken before signing the agreement, he said. But he evaded a question whether NDA would be boycotting Prime Minister's statement on the Indo-US Nuclear Agreement scheduled for Monday.

Asked if their demand was rejected by the Chair, whether the NDA would disrupt the proceedings of the House, he said it would be decided on Monday itself. "Nothing can be said as of now," he added.

The NDA leaders identified Goa developments and flood situation in the country as issues to be raised next week. They felt that the Centre was not providing adequate assistance to Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka which were ravaged by heavy floods.

Farmers' plight, FDI in retail, price rise and Kashmir issue, particularly the threat issued to non-Kashmiris to leave the state, were the other issues identified to be raised later during the session, Mr Malhotra said.

UNI