Budget session 2.0 begins, Modi braces for a tough fight, 'Rahul baba' expected to storm the session all guns blazing

In what is expected to be an extremely volatile and charged period, the second part of the parliament's budget session has just kicked-off today. This session will be packed with some of the most controversial bills that will be tabled in the parliament-the land acquisition bill, the black money bill and the scheduled caste/tribe bill among several others.

The opposition, which seems to have gathered momentum post Congress scion, Rahul Gandhi's return, launched a massive offensive yesterday against the hugely controversial land acquisition bill. Rahul, yesterday proclaimed, amidst a packed Ramlila maidan that the BJP government was out to fleece the poor farmers. He had said yesterday that if the bill in the current form were allowed to be passed, not only would the government take away the farmer's lands, but would also not provide them adequate compensation. Joining the chorus are other opposition parties including the Janata Parivar as well as the CPI.

However, diffusing all fears of a charged up and mostly destructive parliament session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that this session will be full of 'outcomes', adding that the productivity of the Parliament had risen '125%' since his government took charge. PM Modi's statement was duly supported by Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Venkaiah Naidu, who said given the strong presence of the NDA in the parliament will ensure the ride through this session won't be brought to a jarring halt, even though it might have to brace for a few rough patches. Naidu has ordered all BJP MPs to be present in their House throughout.

Addressing party MPs at a workshop, where they were briefed about the government's pro-poor measures, Modi had said yesterday that they would have received feedback about the Centre's work, especially budget, and can join the session with more focus. "In a way the second phase of the session is stronger because MPs come back with more focus. I am sure this half would be full of quality debates and outcomes," he said.

However, despite Modi's attempt to brush aside any signs of a possible disruption of the parliament, the government will have its task cut out in the Rajya Sabha, where they lack a clear majority. BJP and its alliances occupy only 66 seats in the Rajya Sabha, with the half-way mark at 122. Typically, a bill is first placed in the lower house of the Parliament for debating, post which it is 'voted' upon. It is then placed in the higher house, the Rajya Sabha, where a similar debate takes place followed by a 'vote'. For a bill to pass both hurdles, and be turned into an 'Act, both houses will have to 'vote' it in with a clear 2/3rd majority. While, BJP has the numbers in the lower house, it is in the Rajya Sabha, where it will face a tough fight!