New Delhi: After the near washout of the Budget Session, the government made efforts to assure the Opposition that it was willing to discuss contentious issues, including the violence in Manipur, during the upcoming Monsoon Session. In an all-party meeting chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh, the government expressed its readiness to discuss all issues within the rules and approved by the Chair. Additionally, the government sought the Opposition's assistance in passing important Bills.
The parliamentary affairs minister, Pralhad Joshi, informed that there are 31 legislative items for the session, including a Bill to replace the ordinance on the functioning of the Delhi government and the Data Protection Bill.
During the meeting, the Opposition emphasised that both sides must cooperate for smooth functioning. They insisted that if the government wants Parliament to run smoothly, it should allow space for the Opposition's concerns. The Opposition demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Manipur violence.
Apart from the Manipur violence, the Opposition is eager to discuss issues such as floods in north India, the railway tragedy in Odisha's Balasore, unemployment, price rise, and challenges to the federal structure. They aim to address these matters in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury stated after the meeting that he raised these issues during the Business Advisory Committee meeting as well. He emphasised the need for discussing the Manipur issue, urging the Prime Minister to make a statement in Parliament and allow for a debate.
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien also demanded the Prime Minister's presence in Parliament to address the Manipur issue. He urged the Prime Minister to avoid accusations of disrupting Parliament and stressed on the importance of hearing about Manipur.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reiterated that the Manipur issue should be discussed, along with other concerns such as floods, the Balasore railway accident, unemployment, inflation, challenges to constitutional institutions, the India-China border issue, and trade imbalance. He stressed the necessity of cooperation between the ruling party and the Opposition to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh stated that the Opposition's demand for discussing issues like Manipur, price rise, and the Adani stocks case through a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) during the Monsoon Session was non-negotiable. He called for a middle ground approach from the government to facilitate the functioning of Parliament.
The Opposition also expressed dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister's lack of concern about the Manipur situation while addressing other matters. They insisted that the Prime Minister participate in the debate on Manipur.
Other issues that the Opposition wants to discuss include assaults on democratically-elected state governments, the use of the Enforcement Directorate and CBI to target political parties, and the politics of vendetta.
The Samajwadi Party expressed their desire to discuss the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that they would oppose any Bill that aims to create divisions in society.
During the meeting, the Biju Janata Dal called for the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill and demanded special category status for Odisha.
Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leader K. Keshava Rao opposed the Delhi ordinance and the role of the Tamil Nadu governor in dismissing a minister.
