As the elections to five states have come to an end with hectic polling in Rajasthan and Telengana on Friday, the focus will now shift to the Winter Session of the Parliament, which is likely to be a stormy one. The issues of Ram temple, extradition of alleged AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel, and farmer distress are likely to dominate the proceedings.
The government has also lined up heavy legislative business. It would push for passing of Triple Talaq Bill, apart from the four amended bills on health and investigative agencies.
However, the upcoming session is far more important for the opposition parties. Sources said the Winter Session will be used as a springboard by the opposition parties to launch the 2019 election campaign by raking up issues to corner the ruling party.
The contours of the opposition unity will be decided by the election results to declared on December 11. The parties will be meeting on December 10 to decide on not only the Parliament strategy, but also on the 2019 elections. Among the issues likely to be discussed would be the efforts to create another agitation around Ram temple, farmers distress, Rafale deal, and recent incidents of violence in Uttar Pradesh. Senior leaders of all the parties, including the Congress, Left, NCP, TDP, TMC and the BSP, are expected to attend the meeting.
The BJP will also hold a meeting to devise a strategy to launch a counter-offensive on the Congress. The extradition of Christian Michel has come as a big boost for the government as it will help the ruling party to taunt the Gandhis inside the House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the rallies in Rajasthan, had warned that Michel's revelations will put the Gandhi family in a spot.
The government has also called a meeting of the leaders of various parties in both the Houses to ensure smooth functioning of the Parliament.
Besides, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also called a meeting of the all parties on December 11, while Rajya Sabha chairman Vemkaiah Naidu has called meeting of parties of the Upper House on December 10.
The government also intends to introduce various bills, including Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, also known as Triple Talaq Bill, The Indian Medical Council
(Amendment) Bill, The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, The National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, The National Commission for Yoga and Naturopathy Bill, The Pharmacy Council of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy Bill, The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, The National Institute of Design Amendment Bill, 2018, The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, 2018, and The Anti Maritime Piracy Bill.
Among the pending bills before the Parliament, which the government will push include Dentists (Amendment) Bill, Consumer Protection Bill, New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, and DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill.
