With Mayawati's word, Cong sure of passing test of strength

Most political parties, including members of the Congress party-led United Progressive Alliance, issued their respective whips to lawmakers to be present in the Lower House of Parliament when a guillotine - a procedure that combines all ministry-related demands for grants - is scheduled around 6 pm.

The cut motions, proposed anytime ahead of the guillotine, is expected to call for reducing the budgetary support for the Ministries of Petroleum and Fertilisers by a token Re1 to lodge dissent and called "disapproval of policy cut" as per parliamentary procedures.

When Budget proposals are presented in Parliament for approval, a lawmaker or a party can question specific allocations with a cut motion. If it is carried in the House, it amounts to a vote of no confidence and the government is obliged to quit.

But the treasury was confident of braving the dissent.

"The financial business will be cleared. There is no problem at all," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, even as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which has 21 MPs in the Lok Sabha, decided to support the government to defeat the cut motions.

"Where is the question of feeling threatened," added Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi, as his party colleagues claimed they had the clear support of 271 MPs, excluding the BSP, in the 543-member House. The half-way mark is 272.

The ruling coalition's comfort zone was particularly reinforced after BSP chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati categorically told reporters in Lucknow today that her party MPs will vote against the cut motions of Opposition parties.

There were also no clear indications if the Left parties-led Third Front would support the cut motions moved by the NDA. So was the case with the NDA, that has traditionally been at the opposite end of the political spectrum as far as the Left is concerned.

"We never said we have the numbers. This is a protest against the government's failure and policies," said Gurudas Dasgupta, adding that the main aim was to put pressure on the ruling party - a indication they had little hope of getting the motions passed.

The day began with disruptions to normal life in several States when the 13 Opposition parties led by the Left Front started their protests, blaming the federal government's inaction for surging prices.

In Kolkata and Lucknow, air, train and road transport services were particularly hit, while the streets of Thiruvananthapuram bore a deserted look after the closure of schools and businesses.

In Orissa, vehicular and rail traffic came to a halt.

"I have taken stock of the situation. There is widespread protest in Bihar. People have come out in full support to agitate against the price increase," said Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad.

The 13 parties participating in the protests include the SP, Left parties, Telugu Desam Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Biju Janata Dal and the Lok Janshakti Party.

Their main demand is the roll back in the prices of fuels, fertilizers and other essential commodities.