'Will Participate In Parliament Session, But...': Congress Questions Govt. Kharge Meets I.N.D.I.A Floor Leaders

Rajya Sabha MP and Congress party's communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh voiced his concerns about special Parliament session slated to be convened from September 18 to 22.

Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Gaurav Gogoi address a press conference at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023

Source : PTI

The Congress Party on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his associates have called for a five-day special session of Parliament, leaving the Opposition unaware of the motives behind this decision. Rajya Sabha MP and Congress party's communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh voiced his concerns, suggesting that the special session slated to be convened from September 18 to 22 might be an attempt to "divert attention" from the I.N.D.I.A alliance.

"This marks the first instance where PM Modi and his associates have announced a 5-day special session to divert attention from the I.N.D.I.A meeting. However, we lack any information about the specific topics that will be addressed during this session," Ramesh said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

He continued, "Today, the Congress party has made the decision to participate in this special session, but our insistence is that the discussions should revolve around issues that directly affect the people."

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also highlighted the absence of communication between the Centre and opposition parties regarding the session's agenda. He remarked that the lack of transparency in the government's approach raises concerns. 

"Today, our Parliamentary Strategic Committee convened under the chairmanship of Sonia Gandhi and the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. During this meeting, we discussed the pressing issues facing the country. Topics such as inflation, unemployment, the situation in Manipur, and the recent natural disaster in Himachal Pradesh were deliberated upon," he said, as per ANI.

Gogoi added, "Despite the impending special session, the BJP itself remains uncertain about the session's agenda. This government's opacity and lack of accountability towards the nation are concerning."

"Our guiding principle is that the House should engage in discussions on the significant issues confronting the country. The Congress Party stands ready to participate in these discussions and offer constructive suggestions," he concluded, as quoted by ANI.

Floor Leaders Of I.N.D.I.A Parties Meet At LoP Mallikarjun Kharge's Residence

Meanwhile, after the Parliamentary Strategic Committee meeting, the floor leaders of the INDIA alliance parties convened at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, for a crucial huddle.

After the meeting, Gaurav Gogoi once again raised questions about the purpose behind the special session, emphasising the need for transparency from the Centre. He stated, "Why has this special session of Parliament been called? There has been no explanation from the Centre yet. Our demand is that the BJP should show some transparency and should tell the people of the country about the agenda of this special session...The BJP is scared of the INDIA alliance."

Pramod Tiwari, Congress MP, also expressed his concerns about the lack of communication between the government and the opposition. He urged, "Have you ever seen such a government which does not have a dialogue with the opposition? I want to know the topic of this special session. Why have they called this session?"

The meeting, led by the Congress, sought clarity on the agenda of the special parliamentary session, which has remained undisclosed thus far. Gogoi stressed the importance of constructive discussions on issues concerning the people.

According to sources, during the meeting, the opposition parties decided that if the government failed to promptly disclose the agenda of the special session, the opposition would corner the government on issues such as inflation, unemployment, corruption, and communal tensions.

The meeting also discussed the proposal for 'One Nation, One Election' and the possibility of renaming the country as 'Bharat.' Opposition leaders determined that a strategy would be devised after reviewing the government's proposal.

When the parliamentary session's agenda is revealed, the opposition parties plan to hold another meeting to finalise their strategy.

Ahead of the INDIA leaders' meeting, Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil emphasised that parliamentary rules have provisions for Zero Hour, Question Hour, and Private Member Business which will not be accommodated in this session.

"Members have the right to raise the issue of people in Parliament during the Zero Hour, Question Hour, and Private Member Business. There are a lot of issues. When will we raise that?... By not keeping Zero Hour, Question Hour and Private Member Business, Govt has strangulated democracy. We are against this," he remarked.

The remarks come amidst a heightened political atmosphere, with the special parliamentary session scheduled from September 18 while the Union government is yet to reveal the agenda for the same.

With Inputs By Jainendra Kumar

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