Parliament Session Stares At Uncertainty As Opposition, Govt Lock Horns Over Manipur Violence: The Week Ahead

The Manipur Viral video has put the ruling BJP in a tight spot. The BJP will now try to convince Parliament and the nation in the week ahead about its ability to contain the violence in Manipur.

The ongoing Parliament session faces the risk of a washout, with the BJP-led NDA and the Opposition not refusing to budge over the violence in Manipur. While the Opposition is bent on its demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi give a statement on the floor of Parliament, the government says it will have a discussion according to laid down rules for Parliament.

This week, the south will also see political drama as the Karnataka High Court hears a case against the election of CM Siddaramaiah over alleged flouting of rules under the Representation of the People Act.

Stay with ABP Live as we try to cut the clutter around the latest news from the political arena and help you understand what is likely to happen in The Week Ahead. Here are the biggest political developments expected to play out this week.

Furore In Parliament Over Manipur Violence, Viral Video

Parliament has already been adjourned twice since it started on July 20 after the Opposition and the government locked horns over the violence in Manipur. The productivity of either house has been nil so far.

Before the Parliament session began on July 20, PM Modi delivered his customary statement, in which he condemned the incident in the Manipur viral video. He urged the CMs of all states to strengthen the law and order situation. "Be it Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, or Manipur, the governments have to rise above political differences and ensure the safety of women," he said. This was his first statement on the Manipur since the violence broke out

However, the Opposition accused the PM of trying to divert attention from the "barbaric Manipur" incident, in which two women were paraded naked and molested, by mentioning Congress-ruled states. The Opposition also demanded that the Prime Minister speak on the issue on the Parliament floor so that his statement was put on record in the House and a debate be allowed on the Manipur violence. 

The BJP, on the other hand, said that the government would allow a discussion on the matter as per the rules of Parliament. But the Opposition is not convinced and has accused the government of "running away" from discussions on the issue. The BJP has also not clarified whether PM Modi will speak on the issue on the floor of the House.

Meanwhile, leaders of various Opposition parties are contemplating a visit to Manipur towards the end of next week. The visit date is expected to be finalised during an opposition party meeting in Parliament on Monday. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already contacted her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal and has urged all INDIA Chief Ministers to visit Manipur in solidarity of the people there.

HC To Hear Plea On Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's Disqualification

The Karnataka High Court has scheduled a hearing on July 28 regarding a petition that challenges the election of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the Assembly from the Varuna constituency. The petition contends that the election manifesto of the Congress, which offered 'five guarantees', constitutes "corrupt practices amounting to bribery and undue influence" under Section 123(2) of the Representation of the People Act.

According to the petition, Siddaramaiah violated the provisions of the Constitution and the rules and guidelines under The Representation of the People Act. It asserts that the guarantees presented by both the candidate (Siddaramaiah) and the Indian National Congress were intended to gratify the electorate of Varuna Constituency and directly induce them to vote for Siddaramaiah as the Congress party candidate.

The Election petition has been filed by K M Shankara, a private citizen from the constituency, and it was heard by a single-judge bench of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav. The petitioner, represented by senior advocate Pramila Nesargi, argued that everyone who sought votes in the name of the five guarantees should be held accountable for breaking the model code of conduct, but only Siddaramaiah has been made a respondent as an example.

The petition highlights that all individuals named in the manifesto should be collectively responsible for the alleged corrupt practices under Section 123(1) and 123(2) of the RP Act. The High Court adjourned the hearing and instructed the petitioner to address the office objections raised to the petition.

Stay tuned to ABP Live as we track the updates on these stories and more.

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