Karata episode's shadow may loom over parliament session

New Delhi, Apr 22 (NNN-PTI) The human trafficking case involving BJP MP Babubhai Katara is expected to loom large over the second phase of Parliament's budget session beginning April 26 amidst demands that other MPs linked to the matter be shown the door.

The session, being held in the midst of crucial assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, is also likely to witness fireworks on a number of issues.

Demands for action against MPs including Katara could come up at a meeting Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee will have with leaders of various political parties on the eve of the session, setting the stage for the month-long sitting scheduled to conclude on May 22.

There are issues galore for the opposition and treasury benches with the Congress and BJP stocking enough ammunition to score points against each other.

The Katara affair and the controversial BJP CD issue will come in handy for the Congress and Left parties to corner the saffron party, which has given enough indications that it will make matters hot for the government on several matters.

Left parties, key outside supporters of the UPA coalition, have stepped up pressure, telling the government not to take their support for granted if it failed to change its policies.

BJP has said that it will seek an explanation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the wake of Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri's statement that a settlement on the Kashmir issue was on the cards.