From Special Parliament Session To Congress's Jan Aakrosh Yatra: The Week Ahead
Parliament's special session will begin this week, with the Opposition expecting a "hidden agenda" of the Centre. Meanwhile, the Congress is stepping up its poll campaigns in election-bound states.
The Week Ahead is set for a stormy week with the special session of Parliament starting on Monday. While the government has released a "tentative" list of business for the session, the Opposition is apprehensive of a "hidden agenda" of the government.
Meanwhile, the Congress, in reply to the BJP's Jan Ashirwaad Yatra in Madhya Pradesh, will launch a Jan Akrosh Yatra ahead of the Assembly polls in the state. The Congress will also intensify its Telangana poll campaign by launching a door-to-door outreach campaign.
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.
Special Session Parliament To Begin Today
The five-day special session of Parliament that has been at the centre of a political storm will begin on Monday. The session was preceded by an all-party meeting on Saturday. The government has listed a special discussion to commemorate 75 years of Parliament's inception on the first day of the special session, which will be held in the old building. The special session will be moved to the new Parliament building on the second day.
In its business, the Centre has listed for consideration and passage of a bill on the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners in the session's agenda. In Lok Sabha, the listed business includes 'The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023' and 'The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023,' both of which were previously passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3, 2023. Lok Sabha will also discuss 'The Post Office Bill, 2023', initially introduced in Rajya Sabha on August 10, 2023. The government has, however, said that the list of business is only "tentative" and is subject to change.
The Opposition is apprehensive of a potential "surprise agenda" from the government during the five-day session, which stems from the session's "unusual timing". Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the listed agenda appears to be much ado about nothing and the list could have been taken up during the Winter session in November. TMC MP Derek O'Brien said that the government could employ some "dirty tricks" by adding more items to the list.
Previously, there was speculation that the government might introduce the 'One Nation, One Election' bill during the session. However, it formed an eight-member panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind to examine the feasibility of simultaneous elections, with the panel's first meeting scheduled for September 23.
During the all-party meeting, both the government and the Opposition strongly advocated the tabling and passage of the women's reservation bill during the special session. The bill aims to reserve one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies.
Meanwhile, both the BJP and Congress issued whips to all their MPs, instructing them to ensure their presence during the upcoming five-day Parliament session beginning on September 18.
Congress To Launch Door-To-Door Campaign In Telangana
Congress leaders in Telangana will launch a door-to-door campaign in their respective constituencies against the BRS government on Monday, September 18. The leaders will attend a community lunch. This will be followed by a Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The campaign will be launched a day after the Congress announced its six guarantees for the Telangana polls. Speaking at a rally in Tukkuguda, near Hyderabad, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Sunday said, "We are unveiling six assurances, and we are fully dedicated to fulfilling each one of them. My colleagues and I had the privilege of witnessing the birth of this remarkable state, Telangana."
The six "guarantees" are Mahalakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, Rythu Bharosa, Yuva Vikasam, Cheyutha, and Indiramma Indlu. The guarantees include an aid of Rs 2,500 per month financial aid to women in Telangana, gas cylinders at Rs 500, and free commute for women on TSRC buses across the state under the Mahalakshmi scheme.
"To meet the aspirations of the people of Telangana, we are introducing these six assurances, and our commitment is unwavering," she stated.
Madhya Pradesh Polls: Congress To Launch Jan Aakrosh Yatra
The Congress will launch the "Jan Aakrosh Yatra" from seven locations in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, covering all 230 assembly constituencies. Chief of MP Congress Kamal Nath and AICC in-charge for the state Randeep Singh Surjewala accused the BJP government of indulging in widespread corruption and said it had failed to address issues such as unemployment and crimes against women and Dalits.
In order to bring attention to these issues, the Congress will launch the 'Jan Akrosh Yatra'. These marches will cover 11,400 km in total, encompassing all 230 constituencies in Madhya Pradesh within 15 days.
Various Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition Govind Singh, former State Congress Chief Arun Yadav, former ministers Kamleshwar Patel, Jitu Patwari, and Ajay Singh, as well as former Union ministers Suresh Panchouri and Kantilal Bhuria, will lead the Yatra starting from different points.
The BJP earlier launched the 'Jan Ashirward Yatra' to "seek the blessings of the people". These Yatras, originating from various locations, will culminate in Bhopal on September 25, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to address the "mahakumbh" or mega gathering of BJP workers during the event.
BJP, Congress To Boycott Odisha Speaker Election
In a rare political move, the Congress and the BJP in Odisha have agreed to a joint decision. Both parties have jointly decided to abstain from participating in the election for the Speaker of the legislative assembly on September 21.
The decision to boycott the Speaker election stems from the fact that this date coincides with the Nua Khai festival, which is of immense cultural significance in Western Odisha.
Narasingha Mishra, the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, made it clear that party MLAs would refrain from participating in the election for the Speaker's post, citing their protest against the government's decision to conduct the election on the day of the Nuakhai festival.
The BJP, in solidarity with the Congress, also announced on Friday that it would boycott the Speaker election for the same reason, emphasizing that the election date coincides with the Nua Khai festival. BJP MLA Nauri Nayak conveyed that the decision to boycott the Speaker election was made by BJP Legislature party leader Jay Narayan Mishra and Party President Manmohan Samal due to the state government's refusal to reschedule the election date.
The monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly is set to commence on September 22, and the state government is determined to hold the Speaker election on September 21. The Speaker's position has been vacant since May 12 of the previous year when the then Speaker, Bikram Keshari Aarukh, resigned from the post and was subsequently appointed to the council of ministers. Currently, Deputy Speaker Rajani Kanta Singh is serving as the acting Speaker of the Assembly.
BJP, JD(S) Likely To Announce Alliance
This week, the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) are likely to make a formal announcement for the Lok Sabha election next year. The announcement is likely to follow another round of meetings between leaders from both parties.
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda left for Delhi on Sunday to attend the special Parliament sessions beginning on Monday. Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy is likely to arrive in Delhi by Wednesday.
Stay tuned to ABP Live as we track the updates on these stories and more.
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