PM Modi Chairs All-Party Meeting At Parliament, Urges Leaders To Have Healthy Debates In Monsoon Session

Ahead of the Monsoon session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said suggestions from public representatives, especially from the Opposition, are valuable as they make the discussion rich.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an all-party meeting at Parliament on Sunday ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon session.

"More than 40 leaders from 33 parties attended the all-party meeting and suggested which subjects should be discussed. Addressing the meet, PM Narendra Modi said that all representatives' suggestions including those from the Opposition are very valuable," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi informed.

He added that PM Modi laid emphasis on having healthy and fruitful debates in the Parliament. "The government is ready to hold discussions on any subject if raised as per parliamentary rules and procedures," the PM said as quoted by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

The prime minister said suggestions from public representatives, especially from the Opposition, are valuable as they make the discussion rich.

The meeting was held a day ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament which is set to begin on Monday. It was attended by Prime Minister Modi and floor leaders of various political parties.

Besides PM Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister and Leader of House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Joshi were present at the meeting.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also attended the all-party meet. Floor leaders of all prominent opposition parties, including Derek O' Brien from the TMC, Tiruchi Siva from the DMK, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav and BSP's Satish Mishra also took part.

Apna Dal leader and NDA ally Anupriya Patel and LJP leader Pashupati Paras were also present.

The Monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to begin from Monday and will conclude on August 13.

As per the convention, the prime minister will introduce the newly inducted union ministers to both the Houses on Monday. After the formation of a new government or an expansion or reshuffle in the Union Council of Ministers, the prime minister traditionally introduces new ministers in both the Houses.

As per reports, Congress has decided to bring up issues of inflation, fuel price hike, COVID crisis mismanagement, and the border faceoff with China in the Monsoon session.

The party is also expected to raise the Rafale deal issue after the recent development in France, where a probe has been initiated into the pact.

Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had said that all protocols related to COVID will be followed during the session. Those who have not received their Coronavirus vaccination will be asked to undergo an RT-PCR test before entering the Parliament premises.

(With Inputs From Agencies)