New Delhi, November 20
The battlelines are drawn with almost the entire Opposition deciding to challenge the Manmohan Singh government in Parliament through a vote on its decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail.

But the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) can still breathe easy as there is no unanimity on moving a motion of no-confidence.

While not exactly rejecting the Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) proposed no-trust move, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) felt there was a need to consult other political parties before committing itself.

“It is time for this government to go. The NDA will explore the possibility of a no-confidence motion,” BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media after a strategy session of top leaders of the coalition partners this evening.

CPM general secretary Prakash Karat spiked the TMC idea on the grounds that the government would survive the test and it would result in a wasted opportunity for the Opposition.

Similarly, the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief Jayalalithaa said her party would take a stand once such a motion was moved but added that no party had approached the AIADMK for its support.

The overall mood both within the Opposition and in outside supporting parties like the Samajwadi Party is not to precipitate matters and charge up the political atmosphere by pushing for a trust vote.

There is greater agreement on the tactics to confront the UPA government on FDI in retail since the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a key ally of the ruling coalition, too is against opening up the retail market. On its part, the government exuded confidence with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath asserting that UPA has the numbers even as he mocked its former ally, the TMC, for seeking to move a no-confidence motion with just 19 MPs.

Technically, at least 50 MPs are required to submit notice to the Speaker to express loss of trust in the government.

“We are not counting as we are sure of the numbers,” Nath said.

As for discussion on the FDI, the minister said that notices have been received under both rules - 184 (that entails voting) and 193 (without a vote) - in the Lok Sabha.

The government is not in a mood to agree for a discussion that ends in a voting as it has already declared it as an executive decision that does not require parliamentary approval, setting the stage for a possible stand-off.

That the TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's political gambit has backfired was evident as she went to the extent of appealing to her staunch political opponent, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), expressing her support in case the CPM makes such a move.

Meanwhile, the government today unveiled an ambitious agenda for the November 22-December 20 session listing 10 new Bills it plans to introduce and 25 Bills, including the Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, it proposes to take up for consideration and passage by Parliament, besides supplementary demands for grants.

As for Lokpal, Kamal Nath said the government was awaiting the report of the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha.

The Winter Session will be a test for the new Parliamentary Affairs Minister who said he would attempt to arrive at political consensus on the business to be transacted during the coming session of Parliament.