Despite all these, the government is shaky in this budget session. This is because it has not done enough to prepare the allies and the opposition; nor has it been good in floor management.

This Budget session has shown that the left and the right parties can help the government to conduct business smoothly in Parliament or hold the government to ransom. It is ironic while the left parties claim that they cannot touch the BJP with the bargepole, it has no hesitation in cooperating covertly with the BJP on floor strategy on issues. For instance, without the support of the left and the BJP, the controversial women's bill would not have seen the light of the day on March 9. The Congress, although pushing the bill hard on the floor of the house, had only 30 per cent strength in the Rajya Sabha. The three big national parties spoke in the same voice because of the issue, which will get them votes.

Look at the way the government functioned in the Budget session so far. Now the government managers admit that it was a mistake to have brought the women's reservation bill before the financial business was completed. The SP and the RJD have withdrawn support to the government. The BSP too is not very happy with the bill with the result the government has to mobilise support for every bill now from smaller parties and independents. Their bargaining power has increased tremendously given the wafer thin majority of the government.

However, women's bill was a rare issue, which they supported. In contrast, the entire Parliament session saw a belligerent opposition at the beginning of the session, which worried the treasury benches. Price rise and food security dominated their agenda to attack the government while the treasury benches were helpless. There was perfect understanding between the right and the left and other parties like the Samajwadi Party and the RJD which orchestrated with them. The Congress managers thought that the women's bill would expose the division in the opposition and divert attention from the spiralling price rise. But can it depend on such support from the left and the right on other issues in either house? The reality is different.

Why this sudden commonality between the left and the right? One can easily say that while the BJP had been a red rag for the left parties, circumstances and issues have made it possible for them to join hands with the BJP covertly. Gone are the days when the Left would not openly vote with the BJP but both treat Congress as their common enemy today.

The BJP had been clever in allowing the left to take the lead on many issues. If the BJP had been in the forefront, others would mot have joined on the plea it was a communal party. The BJP Leaders of the Opposition in both the houses had not only a common strategy but also were in touch with the left leaders quietly. This worked to embarrass the government in a big way.

If the Congress was happy to get the support of the left and right on the women's bill, it did not last long. Without preparing the ground when the government listed the nuclear liability bill the BJP made it clear it would seek a division. The treasury benches did not have the number with the result the government decided to defer the bill. While the BJP found loopholes in the bill, the left criticized the government for bowing to US pressure. Together, the left and the right made sure that the bill was deferred and the government had to retreat hastily.

With poor floor management and the style of functioning of the Congress, things are not looking well for the party. The Congress should realise that it does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha. It has to reach out not only to the opposition but also to its allies like the NCP and the Trinamool, which are grumbling that they have not been consulted on the women's bill or the civil nuclear liability bill. The Congress managers failed to prepare other parties on the controversial bills. For instance, the government is now trying to explain things not only to the opposition but also to the Congress members on the nuclear liability bill. This should have been done before bringing the bill when the government knows that the majority is thin after the RJD and SP have withdrawn support. In the absence of a majority, the government cannot be choosy. The government does not want to send the bill to the standing committee because SP chief Mulayam is the chairman of the energy committee. Under the present circumstances, he may not bail out the government. The left may not support the nuclear bill but the BJP could be persuaded.

Running a fractured Parliament is more difficult and the government should adopt a consensus approach rather than go for confrontation. Otherwise, the house will meet and adjourn without transacting much business. It is the responsibility of the government to get the bills passed. And for that, it has to not only do homework but also reach out to the opposition. (IPA Service)