Opposition, ruling MPs play truant during budget debate

New Delhi, March 12: When the Lok Sabha Friday debated the budget for the fiscal 2010-11, the house presented a near empty look at many points of time.

It was the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) first that made an issue of empty seats in the treasury benches during the debate.

Some BJP MPs alleged this "showed the government's casual approach to parliament".

Senior BJP leader and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha was the first to raise the issue. He was joined by other party MPs, including Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj.

"A serious discussion on the budget is being held but there are hardly any members in the treasury benches. This showed how serious they are regarding the issue," Sushma Swaraj said, pointing out the thin attendance in the house when Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal was absent.

Other opposition MPs shouted "shame, shame".

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V.Narayanasamy said Bansal would be back in the house soon. Bansal later came rushing and was also joined by Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi.

However, as the day progressed, MPs started slipping away. There were only 70 MPs in the house of 543 at 2.30 p.m. and this time, most of the opposition MPs were absent.

When a Congress MP pointed this out, a BJP member replied: "It is your task to run the nation. You have to be present to listen to us and act on our suggestions".

MPs of the Left parties and Samajwadi Party walked out of the house soon in protest against rising prices, an issue that could have well been part of the budget debate.