Manipur Clashes, Delhi Ordinance, UCC: Talks At All-Party Meet Hint At Stormy Parliament Session Today

During the meeting, Congress demanded discussion on the situation in Manipur in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, while SP pitched for debate on UCC and AAP demanded withdrawal of services ordinance

An all-party meeting was called by BJP-led NDA government on Monsoon Session eve. ( Image Source :PTI )

Opposition parties raised a number of issues during the all-party meeting called by Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government at the Centre ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament. The meeting, which was attended by 34 parties, was chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and was aimed at discussing various matters for the Monsoon Session of Parliament starting from Thursday. The Parliament Monsoon Session will begin on Thursday and will continue to August 11 in which 31 bills have been listed for discussion. 

During the meeting, the Congress party demanded discussion on the situation in Manipur to which the Centre agreed. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, who also attended the meeting, demanded that the services ordinance brought by the Centre should be withdrawn. 

Samajwadi Party demanded discussion on the proposed Uniform Civil Code while Shiv Sena called for a bill on the same in the upcoming Parliament session. 

Here are the top points from today’s all-party meeting. 

• "...The Session begins tomorrow. So, a meeting of All Party Floor Leaders was called. 34 parties and 44 leaders attended the meeting. We received important suggestions. Govt has 31 legislative listed items...All the parties want a discussion on Manipur and the Government is ready to discuss it..." said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi after the meeting while speaking to the media.
• Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said, “ I have raised the issue in the all-party meeting that the House should run smoothly, and the opposition should not create a ruckus. Apart from this, I have raised the issue of atrocities on Dalits and women and promotion of SC, and ST and giving them reservations in the private sector. 
• Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal pitched for parliamentary nod for women reservation in legislatures and also special category status for the state. BJD MP Samsit Patra said his party received support from YSR Congress and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi. 
•  We also raised the issue of the pending construction of over 7 lakh houses for the poor under a central government scheme and more, Patra said. 
• Centre agreed to have a discussion on the situation in Manipur. “All the parties want a discussion on Manipur and the Government is ready to discuss it..." said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. 
• Indian Union Muslim League MP ET Mohammed Basheer spoke against the Uniform Civil Code. 
• “There were strong protests against the Uniform Civil Code. I told the government that it is dangerous and it will disturb the harmony among the people in India. I also raised concerns about Manipur at the all-party meeting. I urged the government to intervene and solve the problem,” Basheer said.
• On the issue of services ordinance, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, “We will strongly oppose this (Delhi) Ordinance. We thank all those (opposition parties) who have supported us over this."
• BRS opposed Delhi Ordinance at all-party meeting; also role of Tamil Nadu Governor in dismissing a minister, said party leader K Keshava. 
• Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan said "We want a discussion on UCC (Uniform Civil Code). Our party, including our president Akhilesh Yadav, will always oppose a bill which aims to create a division in the society."
• "We should be allowed to speak over the issue of federal structure under attack whether it's Delhi, Punjab or Karnataka," said Congress leader Pramod Tiwari following the meeting.