Centre Ready to Discuss All Issues

New Delhi: During an all-party meeting on Sunday, the government stated that it is prepared to discuss all issues raised by the Opposition "in line with rules and traditions". The Prime Minister will brief the media on the first day of the Monsoon Session. At the meeting, the Opposition, on its part, reiterated its demand for discussion on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Pahalgam terror attack and US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of brokering a truce between India and Pakistan. The INDIA bloc insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should respond on the key Opposition issues.

After the meeting, the parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government will bring 17 key bills, details of which will be provided soon.

The Monsoon Session, beginning on Monday, is expected to see the government bringing an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma, for which over 100 MPs have already signed a notice to initiate the process. The session is likely to see a detailed statement on Operation Sindoor by defence minister Rajnath Singh, who held two key meetings on Friday evening with his ministerial colleagues and another with top military brass.

Several leaders, including those from the NDA, also want a discussion to highlight the achievements of the government's foreign outreach through various parliamentary delegations on Operation Sindoor.

The government may also field external affairs minister S. Jaishankar to convey its view in Parliament, sources said.

At the customary all-party meeting ahead of the session, chaired by Union minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda, the government sought coordination with the Opposition for the smooth running of Parliament. As many as 54 leaders of different parties and Independent MPs participated in the meeting.

The parliamentary affairs minister said that the government is open to discussing all issues, including important issues like Operation Sindoor.

On the Opposition's demand for the PM to make a statement on the Pahalgam attack and other issues, Mr Rijiju told the media, "I want to make it clear that the Prime Minister remains in Parliament except during foreign travel. The Prime Minister always remains in Parliament, but he does not remain in the House all the time… Whenever Parliament functions, the Cabinet ministers are present to respond to issues concerning their departments."

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, who also attended the meeting, said his party has sought Mr Modi’s statement on Mr Trump's claims and on "lapses" that led to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and SIR of poll rolls in Bihar.

AAP’s MP Sanjay Singh said he raised the alleged "poll scam" of SIR in Bihar and the US President's claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan at the meet.

BJD's Sasmit Patra said the Centre cannot escape responsibility for the "failing" law and order in states and Parliament should debate it. He was referring to an incident of self-immolation by a college student and another case of a 15-year-old being set on fire by a group of men in Odisha.

CPI(M)'s John Brittas said the Prime Minister should speak in Parliament on Mr Trump's claims on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack.

The government asserted that it will respond "appropriately" to the US President’s claims on Operation Sindoor. On the motion against Justice Varma, Mr Rijiju also said that more than 100 MPs have already signed a notice to bring a motion for the removal, crossing the threshold of support required for tabling the impeachment exercise in the Lok Sabha.

"The signature (exercise) is underway and it has crossed 100 already," Mr Rijiju told the media. He added that it is now for the Business Advisory Committee to decide when the motion will be moved.

A motion for the removal of a judge has to be signed by not less than 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha. The motion is likely to be brought in the Lower House. The government has made it clear that it will bring the motion during this sitting of Parliament.

A huge amount of burnt wads of currency was discovered at the outhouse of then Delhi high court judge by emergency service providers following a fire incident on his premises in March. A committee of three high court judges appointed by then Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna had indicted Justice Varma. The CJI referred the matter to President Droupadi Murmu and the Prime Minister, recommending Justice Varma's removal after he refused to resign.