The logjam was mainly due to the fact that the government was unable to mobilise the number for survival. In fact, there was every possibility of the Parliament not transacting any business this session. Though the government breathed a sigh of relief on the first day of the session with the failure of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's bid to topple the government with a no-confidence motion, the uncertainty over the fate of the session continued on the FDI issue.

The BJP and the Left were pushing hard for the debate-and-vote. The government had refused arguing that an executive decision does not need Parliament's nod. The Congress did its homework to reach out to the opposition as well as allies who were opposing the FDI in multi brand. Prime Minister Singh began his dinner diplomacy well before the session and followed it by an All Party meeting. The final thing was the meeting of the UPA allies after which things became clear that there was no threat to the government. UPA ally DMK, which has been opposed to FDI in retail, had fallen in line.

The Congress did some political maneuverings. The Samajwadi Party and Bahujana Samaj Party, the two important parties supporting the government from outside had been persuaded to support. The BSP did so in return for bringing the quota bill to the Lok Sabha. The SP chief Mulayam Singh needs support of the government to deal with pending cases in the court. But it was the DMK support, which clinched the issue. The DMK chief M. Karunanidhi had even participated in the bandh to protest against the FDI in multi brand retail along with the opposition parties last month. Obviously there was some deal with the DMK for its change of heart. It could be a go-slow attitude regarding the 2G cases pertaining to Kanimozhi and A. Raja. However, the DMK chief came up with a strange argument that he was doing so to stop the communal parties like the BJP. Has he forgotten that he was part of the BJP-led NDA for five years? In fact, the SP also has the same kind double speak, as Mulayam Singh’s argument for supporting the UPA government was to keep the communal forces out. He too has forgotten that he was a minister in the National Front government supported by the BJP.

Why do these parties behave in this manner? They believe the elections will be held within the next 12 months and therefore they are positioning themselves on issues now. They take one position in the standing committee and another outside. The third position is taken in press conferences.

Secondly, both the government and the opposition have realised that there is no public support for a logjam or stalling the Parliament. The near collapse of the law-making process has raised anger and skepticism, and is increasingly seen as proof of collusion against the public interest. That is why disruptions in Parliament are now viewed with disgust.

Thirdly, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is concerned about the falling international image of himself as well as his government. The FDI in retail was the first issue, which was taken up for pushing the reforms again. If the government were to change its cabinet decision of 49 percent they will have to go back to the cabinet, move a fresh bill but the Standing Committee will not accept anything above 26 percent because it is headed by the BJP. Singh is keen that the issue should be resolved as soon as possible. The Congress chief is fully backing Singh on the FDI in retail. The two have sent a clear message that they are not willing to back down on reforms.

The BJP and the Left parties, among others, are still not convinced and are of the view that the government went back on its assurance given to both Houses of Parliament that a decision on FDI in retail would be taken only after talking to all stakeholders. They are insisting that the matter should be discussed and voted upon in Parliament. They know that the government will survive.

In balance, it is good that the political parties have agreed to discuss and debate the issues, as they should in a democracy. They should end this kind of brinkmanship and allow the Parliament to function. With the magic number in hand the government managers are heaving a sigh of relief that the FDI in multi brand debate would be closed once and for all if the government manages to come out successfully. Even if the house is vertically divided it can claim some consensus after the vote. It will also embolden the government to bring the pension and banking bills. (IPA Service)