NEW DELHI: A session of Parliament is being called later this month only to pass a vote on account instead of presenting a full budget as a part of larger political forces
A formal decision in this regard was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar and Cong-I chief Rajiv Gandhi. A full budget is likely to be presented not earlier than late April to give the finance minister Yashwant Sinha and a former Congress finance minister Pranab Mukherji enough time to grasp the full impact of the Gulf war on the Indian economy.
It is being claimed by sources close to Gandhi that Assembly elections would be held in Tamil Nadu in May. The outcome of these elections would give both the Congress and Janata Dal-S a fair ‘idea of the likely outcome should Lok Sabha elections be held in November. This is also a clear indication that Gandhi and Shekhar would like to prolong the tenure of the present dispensation at the center till October.
There are two practical problems about presenting a full budget now Both Shekhar and Gandhi cannot afford to risk a long session of the Lok Sabha without having cleared the misunderstandings that have cropped up between the two. It is claimed that both have agreed to consolidate their cooperation and to work out a mechanism to unitedly face the election to bring an end to the current political uncertainty facing the country.
Responsible leaders in both parties are credited with the view that some elements in the Janata Dal-S better known for their lack of restraint should be dropped. The Congress workers maintain that the situation now would help the party win at least a working majority
Both the parties are however trying their best to conceal the real compulsions to postpone the budget.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 22, 1991
