Deadlock persists on Manipur, Oppn seeks early discussion in RS

The Opposition and the government on Friday appeared to have returned to an impasse over the issue of discussing the situation in Manipur in the Rajya Sabha, with the former turning down the latter's offer of a response by Union home minister Amit Shah on August 11, which is the last day of the session.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran and Saubhadra Chatterji

Opposition The has demanded that a discussion on the pressing issue be held in the earlier part of the week beginning Monday, after having climbed down from its insistence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on the matter.

According to a government functionary, the discussion and the minister's reply have been scheduled for the last day of the session, since the matter will be taken up by both the Houses. "The HM will be required to be present in the Lok Sabha on Monday, where there is a bill scheduled. Then there is the discussion on the no-confidence motion scheduled for August 8-10; that leaves the HM free only on Friday," the functionary said, asking not to be named.