From the gallery: Five questions M B Rajesh of CPM

What were the objections raised by you while speaking on the bill?

The global financial crisis has showed us that we should strengthen regulatory mechanism. Secondly, the same firms who were the culprits in the global financial crisis were allowed entry here.

The government said passage of the bill in one house would clear way for taking it to a joint session if it is failed in Rajya Sabha.

The ruling party is not so confident about Rajya Sabha because of its experience in the issue of Thanks Motion (in which the government lost the vote). They will have to resort to unprecedented ways to get it cleared because they have committed to the corporates.

Will the opposition be united in opposing the insurance bill in RS?

At least on the issue of procedural flaws the opposition can be united. So I don’t think the passage is easy for the government.
Do you think the opposition can make its mark on the legislation as the government keeps getting them passed despite objections?
The opposition has been able to put up a spirited fight on issues though we are less in number. The morale is high.