Subramaniam Swamy included in NDA

New Delhi, Mar 11 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leaders and its allies in the National Democratic Allaince (NDA) met at BJP leader L K Advani's residence on Sunday to strategize for the Budget session, agreed to include Subramaniam Swamy's party, the Janata Party into the NDA alliance.

"Dr. Subramaniam Swamy's party, the Janata Party, who, for a long time, was in talks with our alliance partners, has been included in the NDA," said BJP leader S S Ahluwalia, while addressing the mediapersons after the meeting.

Ahluwalia further informed that they will not boycott Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in this session as there were some significant issues to be discussed for which Chidambaram was answerable.

"The boycott of Mr. Chidambaram was only for the winter session and we have decided not to boycott him in this session because there are some very important issues like assault on federalism or there is a debate on NCTC or National Investigation Agency (NIA) or Unlawful Activity Prevention Act for which he is answerable therefore we have decided not to boycott him," said Ahluwalia

Ahluwalia also added that the opposition would interrupt both the houses if the government did not revoke the ban on cotton exports.

Speaking on the issue of dilution of federalism, Ahluwalia accused the central government of curtailing the powers of the state and increasing its own.

"There is a great demand and that demand by the NDA that we want to discuss the assault on federalism. Every bill, every legislation and every order is coming out the government is increasing their power and curtailing the power of state," he said.

Political experts have predicted rough weather ahead for the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as it is going to face a tough challenge from the opposition on various issues including the recent ban on cotton exports, the alleged dilution of federal structure and National Counter Terrrorism Centre (NCTC) and many other issues.

The opposition will also take up the Lokpal Bill in both the houses as the bill failed to pass in the winter session in December last year.

Congress' allies like the Trinmool Congress (TMC) has publicly expressed its opposition on matters including the setting up of NCTC, hike in fuel prices, fertilizer subsidy and the financial constraints experienced by its government in West Bengal.

The first part of the session will conclude on March 30 and restart on April 24 after a three-week break.

The session is expected to conclude on May 22.

The Union Budget 2012-13 will be presented on Friday. While the Rail Budget will be presented on Wednesday, the Economic Survey outlining Government's assessment of the economy will be tabled on Thursday.

Due to the recently concluded assembly elections in five states, the budget session, which generally starts in the third week of February, is beginning on March 12 this year. (ANI)