Choppergate discussion is likely after Budget

With Parliament starting normal business Friday, the two Houses are bracing for heated debate on the VVIP helicopter deal and the P.J. Kurien controversy. The Opposition is united on targeting the government over the helicopter deal, but disruption is unlikely as the government has made it clear it is ready for any inquiry. A debate will be held under a rule that does not entail voting, but this is likely only after the Union Budget is presented next Thursday. While the BJP and non-Left Opposition is determined to raise the helicopter deal, the Left is firm on raking up the demand for Rajya Sabha deputy chairman P.J. Kurien’s resignation following fresh revelations in the Suryanelli rape case. The Lok Sabha Question Hour may be disrupted with the Left planning an adjournment motion to discuss the bank employees’ strike. The government urged the Opposition to ensure that pending bills on which there is near unanimity be passed after a discussion, but the BJP opposed this, saying convention should not be breached and these bills should go to standing committees. A debate on the motion of thanks on the Presi-dent’s address will be held in the Lok Sabha on February 27 and March 4.