New Delhi: Bracing for a stormy Budget Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday pinned hopes on a constructive app-roach from the Opposition, even as he asked NDA MPs to take the Opposition head-on on the JNU issue, which is listed to come up in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The issue came up for discussion during the BJP parliamentary party executive meeting and also the NDA leaders’ meeting. The Prime Minister, it was learnt, said that the ruling alliance leaders should not be seen on the backfoot on the issue and that MPs should debate aggressively.
A short-duration discussion on the “situation arising in Central institutions of higher education with specific reference to Jawah-arlal Nehru University and University of Hyderabad” is listed to come up in the Upper House.
Talking to the media earlier, Mr Modi said he was counting on “friends” from the Opposition parties who had shown a “positive” attitude during various interactions.
He also said that there had been “one-on-one talks” with Opposition leaders. “I am sure Parliament will be utilised for constructive debate and there will be intensive discussion on the country’s hope and aspirations,” he said.
PM: Opposition must criticise government
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the “Opposition should severely criticise the government and highlight its shortcomings, which will only strengthen democracy”.
The Budget Session begins at a time when the Opposition is training its guns at the government over the suicide by dalit student Rohith Vemula at Hyderabad University, the row over JNU, and the violent agitation for reservations by Jats in Haryana.
While the President didn’t touch on these contentious issues, he said the government will constantly strive for the smooth conduct of parliamentary business.
The President spoke for about 75 minutes. He said India was “a haven of stability” in a turbulent global economy. The President also said the government was taking steps for a “mutually respectful relationship” with Pakistan.
