Monsoon Session: I.N.D.I.A. Bloc to raise Pahalgam, Bihar SIR
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the bloc would also press the government on rising attacks against vulnerable groups, aviation safety standards, and timely answers to citizens’ concerns.
New Delhi: Leaders of the 24 party I.N.D.I.A. bloc met virtually on Saturday to finalise their strategy for the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on Monday. They agreed to focus on eight priority issues, while reserving the option to raise additional local concerns as they arise.
Among the key issues identified are Pahalgam terror attack and the Centre’s response, Operation Sindoor and US President Donald Trump’s claim that he brokered an India Pakistan cease fire (“five jets were shot down”), foreign policy questions, including India’s position on the Gaza conflict, Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, which the Opposition says is biased, atrocities against women, Adivasis and minorities, air safety in the wake of the Ahmedabad aircraft crash, delimitation concerns, with fears that new boundaries could favour the ruling party and restoration of full statehood to Jammu & Kashmir.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress MP Pramod Tiwari told reporters, “We have shortlisted eight specific issues to corner the government; other local matters will be raised at an appropriate time.”
The alliance accused the Election Commission of conducting the Bihar roll revision to delete voters perceived as unsupportive of the ruling party.
Tiwari said the bloc would also press the government on rising attacks against vulnerable groups, aviation safety standards, and timely answers to citizens’ concerns.
“Parliament should function, and the government must be accountable. The Prime Minister has to be present and respond,” he stated.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and senior leaders from allied parties, including Abhishek Banerjee (TMC), Sharad Pawar (NCP SP), Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena UBT), Hemant Soren (JMM), Omar Abdullah (NC), M.A. Baby (CPI M), D. Raja (CPI) and Tejashwi Yadav (RJD)—attended the virtual meeting. The Aam Aadmi Party did not participate, having earlier said it is not part of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.
A follow up physical meeting of alliance leaders is expected in the coming days.