Image showing the Lok Sabha in session. For representational purposes.
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: The Monsoon Session of Parliament is all set for a stormy start on Monday with the Opposition spelling out its insistence on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements on Pahalgam attack, US President Donald Trump’s contentious claims and Special Intensive Revision of Bihar electoral rolls.
On its part, the government on Sunday expressed its readiness for discussions “with an open heart” on subjects like Operation Sindoor but did not comment on the demand for Modi’s statement, saying discussions will be held as per rules and conventions of Parliament.
The government sought cooperation from the Opposition for the smooth conduct of the Parliament at the customary all-party meeting, which was chaired by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, where parties also raised issues like Ahmedabad air crash, demolition drives, targeting of Bengalis in BJP-ruled states and deteriorating law and order in Odisha.
After the “very constructive meeting”, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters, “the ruling side and Opposition should work together with good coordination. We might be parties with different ideologies but it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that Parliament functions properly.”
He said parties have raised several issues and the government is “ready for discussions with an open heart” on subjects like Operation Sindoor as per rules and tradition.
Fifty-four members from 51 parties attended the meeting and 40 of them spoke, Rijiju said. The government has indicated that it intends to bring eight new Bills besides tabling a resolution to extend President’s Rule in strife-torn Manipur. There will also be a move to bring an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma with over 100 MPs already signing it.
Senior Opposition leaders like Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi, Samajwadi Party’s Ramgopal Yadav, CPI(M)’s John Brittas and CPI’s P Sandhosh Kumar among others demanded that Modi should respond to debates on Pahalgam terror attack, claims of Trump and Bihar SIR in Parliament.
Gogoi said Pahalgam, the conflict on borders developing into a two-front axis and SIR are issues of importance and as the head of the government, Modi “should speak to the nation through the Parliament”. It is the “moral and ethical” duty of the Prime Minister to do so, he said.
AAP’s Sanjay Singh said he raised the “poll scam” of SIR in Bihar, which he wanted to be scrapped, and Trump’s claim that he brokered 'ceasefire' between India and Pakistan. However, BJP ally JD(U)'s Sanjay Jha said they have received reports that there are no issues with SIR and "if there is any problem anywhere, we will meet the EC to present our case".
Yadav said there should be a discussion on Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha’s remarks about intelligence failure leading to Pahalgam attack while claiming that India’s foreign policy has “completely failed” and Muslim countries which were supporting India have deserted. He also raised the SIR issue and alleged votes of crores of such people are being deleted.
Besides other issues, CPI’s Sandosh Kumar called for immediate action on a pending impeachment notice against Justice Shekhar Yadav for his “blatantly communal remarks” besides raising the He also raised the issue of targeting of adivasis in the guise of Operation Kagar.
Muslim League’s Haris Beeran also raised Justice Yadav’s issue, saying there is “clear evidence” against the judge but the notice is pending for the past over six months. He also flagged the ‘demolition drives’ in Assam, Gujarat and Uttarakhand in violation of Supreme Court directives in which minorities are “selectively” targeted.
BJD's Sasmit Patra said the Centre cannot escape responsibility from the "failing" law and order in states and Parliament should debate it while referring to Odisha where he claimed there is a "complete collapse" of law and order and the BJP-led state government is "helpless" and has "failed".
Agenda for Day One
Select Committee to table report on The Income Tax Bill, 2025
The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha
The Bills of Lading Bill, 2025 in Rajya Sabha
In Question Hour, MPs to raise questions on Air India crash in Rajya Sabha