Winter in Parliament heading for a steamy session

According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government may call for joint session of the Parliament to pass much-debated Insurance Reform Bill, if the opposition parties try to stall the proceedings.

The landmark insurance bill is set to face strong opposition in Parliament.

It has been learnt that many opposition parties mulling to block it together.

The bill represents the BJP-led government's first major legislative reform.

The stiffest opposition perhaps will come from Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, which has locked horns with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre lately on Saradha scam case and Burdwan blast case.

"There is no question of passing the bill. First let it be taken up, clause by clause, in the select committee," said Trinamool's Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) party has decided to stage a dharna opposing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Insurance in the House.

Mamata Banerjee's party is also likely to create storm inside the parliament with the black money issue, media reported.

The Congress, which is the largest opposition party, on the other hand has been noncommittal on Insurance Bill.

"We will discuss the insurance bill with all opposition parties and to make a unanimous decision," said Congress leader Kamal Nath.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati also said her party would reveal its stand only before the select committee of Parliament.

"Our opposition will not be irresponsible," Mayawati, the chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party, told reporters.

Janata Dal United (JD-U) leader KC Tyagi had promised: "Our party, the Trinamool, CPM and others would block the Insurance Bill."

Surprisingly, Shiv Sena has promised to support the BJP in Parliament despite their bitter break-up in Maharashtra.

The BJP of course is confident of passing the bills. It has decided to stand firm on passing the bill.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley already hinted that Government is ready with reforms.

Narendra Modi on Monday said that he was looking forward to a fruitful Winter Session.

Reaching out to the Opposition though, he said that the government and the opposition both are responsible for the smooth running of Parliament.

“Lot of business took place in last session as the opposition played a positive role. I hope this time it will be the same…In the cold weather, with a cool mind we have to do a lot of work,” the PM told media persons on his way into Parliament.

“People have given us the responsibility of running the government but all MPs have the responsibility of running the country,” Modi added.

Modi-led NDA Government's prime headache will be passing the bill in the upper House (Rajya Sabha), where it is minority.

In this scenario, the Government, has been reported may call for a joint sitting of the houses and get the job done.

The winter session will continue till December 23 and will have 22 sittings. Besides the insurance bill, the government has detailed 36 other bills it wants passed, among them the Goods and Service Tax (GST) bill.

The month-long Winter Session of Parliament which began on Monday was adjourned for the day in both the Houses as a sign of respect for two senior parliamentarians – veteran Congress leader Murli Deora and Trinamool Congress’ Kapil Krishna Thakur.