New Delhi, Aug 21: BJP today expressed surprise over the Opposition by key NDA ally DMK to the bill for banning cow slaughter at the introduction stage itself in the Lok Sabha but said it would try to make them understand. "We did not expect them to protest at the introduction stage. Maybe there was some confusion. We will try to make them understand," BJP parliamentary party spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters here.

He was responding to a question on why the DMK, despite being a coalition partner and party to the cabinet decision to bring in the legislation, had opposed the bill.

Asked about TDP's opposition to the legislation, Malhotra said that both TDP and Trinamool Congress were not part of the government but they wanted an all party meeting to sort out the issue.

He said that the allies at the cabinet meeting had agreed to the introduction of the bill.
To a question whether the opposition to the bill by the allies was a setback, he said, "not the least."


Bureau Report