Cong likely to lead four parliamentary panels

In a significant development, the Congress is likely to get the chairmanship of four parliamentary committees on external affairs, agriculture, rural development and education.

According to sources, the BJP is likely to lead the panels on finance and defence.

Though the Congress was keen on seeking chairmanship of the standing committee on finance, the government is understood to have said that since it already has chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), giving the opposition party, the chairmanship of a panel on finance won’t be feasible.

The PAC scrutinises all expenditures of the government audited by the CAG.

INDIA bloc allies such as the Samajwadi Party, TMC and DMK are also likely to get chairmanship of one Parliamentary panel each.

Even the JDU and the TDP, the two key allies of the NDA government, are likely to get chairmanship of one Parliamentary panel each. The decisions are likely to be finalised soon, sources said, adding that negotiations on the panels are almost complete between the ruling BJP and the Congress.