Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking clarity on the agenda of the upcoming special session of the Parliament. In a surprise move, the government announced a special session from September 18 to 22, without revealing the agenda.
On behalf of the opposition parties, Sonia stated in the letter on Wednesday that the special session has been convened “without any consultation with other political parties”. She added that the parties want to be given time to raise matters of public concern during the session.
Sonia listed out nine issues that the opposition parties wanted to discuss or debate on during the session. These include current economic situation on the nation in the wake of rising prices and growing unemployment, commitment made to the farmers with regard to MSP, demand for a joint parliamentary committee to investigate transactions of the Adani group, crisis in Manipu, communal tension in Haryana, occupation of Indian territory by China, urgent need for a caste census, damages inflicted by Centre-state relations and the impact of natural disasters on states.
Addressing media after the details of the letter were revealed, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said this is the first time that no agenda has been discussed or listed in the business of the House. He said the rules under which the discussion can take place can be discussed mutually.
Ramesh also alleged that the prime minister is in "panic".
Floor leaders of the INDIA bloc from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha took part in a late night meeting Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Tuesday, to discuss the strategy for the upcoming session. The session comes amid heated debates on issues such as 'One Nation, One Election', and renaming India to Bharat.
