Deadlock broken in Indian parliament

A deadlock that stalled India’s Parliament for a week was broken today when the deputy speaker agreed to allow a debate that could lead to a censure of the government over riots in the west of the country.

Sectarian violence in Gujarat state has killed more than 750 Muslims and 100 Hindus since late February.

The Hindu nationalist party of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had opposed a vote on the Gujarat violence, saying it would agree only to a short discussion in Parliament.

The date for the debate was not immediately set.

Some of Vajpayee’s allies could vote against him, as they have joined the opposition in demanding the sacking of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Loss of a censure vote would not bring down the government, but would be an embarrassment and could expose fissures in the 20-party governing alliance.

The deputy speaker of the Indian parliament said today that he would allow the opposition motion, with a subsequent vote, after he was unable to get the two sides to agree.

The opposition, led by Sonia Gandhi’s Congress party, has refused to allow either house of Parliament to function for more than a week, as members shouted slogans each day until the chambers were adjourned.