Aiming to corner the United Progressive Alliance and the Left, the opposition National Democratic Alliance on Thursday decided to move an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha and demand a discussion suspending Question Hour in Rajya Sabha on Nandigram where it said a "civil war" was on.
The decision to take up the issue in a big way was taken at a meeting of the opposition alliance, which alleged that "atrocities have been committed against women, farmers and minorities" in Nandigram with the support of the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led state government.
The meeting was apprised of the visit of NDA delegation led by Leader of the Opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani and Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Chandan Mitra, who was part of the team, presented a detailed report of the situation in Nandigram.
The situation in Nandigram was shocking and warrants a detailed discussion in both Houses of Parliament, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told reporters after the meeting, chaired by alliance convenor George Fernandes.
Contending CPI-M's claim that Nandigram cannot be discussed as it was a state subject, BJP leaders said it was not a state issue exclusively as it pertains to acquisition of land for a Special Economic Zone, which is a Central subject.
"Nandigram has witnessed severe crimes against women and children and the Lok Sabha has a mandate to discuss issues like this, which amounts to a civil war," deputy leader of the opposition V K Malhotra said.
Asked whether the demand for discussion on the issue was justified, he shot back, "Why can't Nandigram be discussed when Gujarat has been discussed several times. The House is not CPI-M's," he said.
The NDA meeting was attended by senior BJP leaders Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Malhotra and party chief Rajnath Singh besides representatives of the Shiv Sena, Janata Dal-United, Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal, Shiromani Akali Dal and Swantra Bharat.