Sonia Writes To PM Modi, Raises 9 Issues For Discussion In Special Parliament Session

Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to PM Modi stating that there has been no information on the agenda of the five-day special Session of the Parliament

Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the five-day special session of the Parliament convened by the Centre from September 18 to 22. In her letter, Gandhi stated that there is no information on the agenda of the session and listed nine issues for discussion including demand for JPC, caste census, and rise in communal tensions in different states. The Congress party also said that it will not boycott the session and will raise the issues of the public. 

“You have convened a special five-day session of the Parliament beginning 18 September, 2023.

I must point out that this Special Session has been convened without any consultation with other political parties. None of us have any idea of its agenda. All we have been communicated is that all five days have been allocated for Government Business,” Gandhi said in her letter. 

“We most certainly want to participate in the Special Session because it will give us an opportunity to raise matters of public concern and importance. I earnestly hope that time will be allocated under the appropriate Rules for a discussion and debate on these issues,” she added. 

Among the issues she stated in the letter included inflation, growing unemployment, and rise in inequalities and distress of MSMEs. She also raised the point of commitment made by the Centre with regard to Minimum Support Price. 

Situation in strife-ridden Manipur, rise in communal tensions in different States like Haryana, border issue with China, demand for JPC, need for a caste census were also included in the 9-point issues list. 

Will Not Boycott The Session: Congress

In a press conference on Wednesday, Congress general secretary, Jairam Ramesh said that the party will not boycott the upcoming session of the Parliament. 

“Cong Parliamentary Committee held a meeting chaired by Sonia Gandhi last evening, Mallikarjun Kharge was also present, wherein we discussed our strategy for the upcoming special session of the Parliament,” he said.

“Later, at 8 pm, Kharge called a meeting at his residence of all the floor leaders of I.N.D.I.A. in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and it was discussed what will be INDIA's strategy for the upcoming session.” 

“It was decided that we will not boycott this session. It's an opportunity for us to raise the issues of the public,” he added.