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Will BJP have last laugh over TRAI bill?

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The ruling BJP is hoping to have the last laugh over the Congress' plans to corner it on the TRAI amendment bill in the Rajya Sabha.

After Congress' ally NCP refused to oppose the bill, replacing the ordinance which paved the way for Nripendra Misra's appointment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's principal secretary, the BJP is counting on Sharad Pawar's stand to sap the opposition's confrontational approach on the issue.

"The government is confident of the bill's passage. It's a small lacunae in the Act and we are trying to bring TRAI rules in line with those of other similar authorities," minister of state for parliamentary affairs Prakash Javadekar told dna.

The TRAI bill will be the first test of the Narendra Modi government's clout in the Rajya Sabha where the NDA is at a numerical disadvantage. The BJP has 43 members in the 245-member Upper House. It may not be a cakewalk for the BJP to get the numbers on its side in the Upper House. Besides, the 68-member Congress, the Left with 11 MPs, Trinamool Congress with 12 MPs and 10-member strong Samajwadi Party are likely to oppose the bill. The BSP, which has 14 MPs in the House, is expected to declare its stance later. A CPM leader said the government was trying to dilute the institution and that the amendment favoured an individual — something that the party will oppose.

Government sources said apart from NCP, several non-NDA parties will not oppose the legislation. Besides its allies, the BJP is banking on support from AIADMK, BJD and nine independents. According to BJD sources, the party will take a stance on the bill after examining its impact on TRAI's functioning.

The Congress' position is in line with its strategy of take a combative stance, particularly in the Rajya Sabha in the wake of its face off with the government on being denied the position of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. According to sources, the LoP matter is for Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to decide upon. After completion of financial business, the government has to prioritise from among around 20 bills slated for the session.

The TRAI bill is scheduled to be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

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