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Balco to be taken up in LS
under censure motion: PTI

The controversial Balco divestment issue will be discussed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, under a censure motion that entails voting.

This was decided on Wednesday at a meeting convened by Speaker G M C Balayogi of floor leaders, sources said.

Till Wednesday night there was deadlock on the issue, with the government against an Opposition demand for a discussion under Rule 184, which permits voting.

However, the government heaved a sigh of relief with the Bharatiya Janata Party's ally, the Telugu Desam Party, which had attacked the government on the issue in the Rajya Sabha, indicating it would support the government during voting.

TDP sources said the party was for the divestment policy and Balco was part of it.

However, the TDP may seek clarifications on issues during the debate, they said.

TDP member C Ramachandriah had attacked the government over the deal to divest on Wednesday, when the issue was discussed under a calling attention motion in the Rajya Sabha.

The Communist Party of India-Marxists had tabled notices last week for a discussion on Balco's divestment under Rule 184, and the Congress expressed support.

However, the government felt that there should be a consistent policy for discussions in both Houses, sources said.

The government also felt that divestment was an approved policy and that Parliament should not be voting on an executive decision.

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