NEW DELHI: With the controversy over the invitation to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form a Government having just died down, a fresh one has arisen over whether, President S_D. Sharma should be asked to address the joint session of Parliament before the BJP Government Proves its majority in the new Lok Sabha.

Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee apparently has no doubt. His Cabinet met last week and discussed the draft of the President’s address, was scheduled to be delivered on May 24.

The President’s address will set out the aims and policies of the new Government, even though there is great uncertainty over whether Prime Minister A.B, Vajpayee will be able to prove his majority on the floor of the Lok Sabha before the stipulated deadline of May 31. There has been a debate over whether the President’s address should be delivered before the Government’s trial of strength. According to eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee, there was no Constitutional impropriety in the Government’s course of action.

“It doesn’t see why the Government can’t let the people know what their program is,” Mr. Sorabjee said. “There is no reason why they should wait till after the vote of confidence.”

The Opposition, particularly the Third Front, however, feels that the President’s address should wait till after the BJP government proves its majority. The Third Front is confident that the BJP Government will fall, and thus a Presidential address would just be a vehicle for political propaganda by an “illegitimate” government ‘The Government also announced that the Prime Minister would address the nation soon, His message will be broadcast by Doordarshan and All India Radio, The Lok Sabha Secretariat announced that the House has heen convened for May 22, The first. two days will be taken up by the scouring in of the 535 new MPs, and the election of the Speaker of the new Lok Sabha is likely will take place on May 23.

A Business Advisory Committee (BAC) will be constituted soon after the election, according 10 official sources; The Rajya Sabha will convene on May 24, when the President makes his address to the joint session of Parliament.

Mr, Vajpayee’s Government has already prepared a draft speech for Dr. Sharma, and the contents of the address were normally discussed by the Union Cabinet last week.

 THE LOR Sabha antagonized air the! First session ends on May 31, subject to exigencies of government business

 

‘There was no mention of the vote of confidence to be sought by the BJP. Government, although it is expected s00n after the President’s address.

There was also no mention of a vote of thanks on the President’s address, leading to Speculation that the BJP. Government would not even seek the vote of thanks, with holidays on May 25 and 26 (for the weekend), and on May 28 (for Muharram), the trial of strength may take place as early as May 27. This, however, would be decided by the BAC.

The Rajya Sabha has been summoned to meet on May 24. The Rajya. Sabha Secretariat said last week that Subject Lo exigencies of business, the session is scheduled to conclude on May 31.

Article extracted from this publication >>  May 22, 1996