During the All-party meeting, the Opposition raises farm laws, COVID situation, and question Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence.
A meeting of Floor leaders of all parties was called by the government on Sunday, ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament that starts on Monday. While Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal were present from the government side, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was absent.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge stated the Opposition expected Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the meeting. Joshi said 31 parties and 42 leaders participated in the all-party meeting. “Leaders from various parties participated in a constructive discussion. The government is ready for any discussions permitted by the Chairman and the Speaker, without disruptions,” Joshi said.
The opposition, meanwhile, asked about the Prime Minister’s absence from the meet. “We were expecting that the Prime Minister will attend the meeting. We wanted to discuss issues with PM, including farm laws. There are concerns that the farm laws may be brought again in some form,” Kharge said.
Congress leaders put forth issues like farm laws, MSP, fuel price rise and inflation, and unemployment. They also raised the demand of paying Rs four lakh compensation to the kin of those who died due to Covid-19. The leaders further demanded compensation for families of farmers, who died in the agitation.
Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had written to Speaker Om Birla on Saturday, demanding a unanimous resolution to pay tribute to the farmers, who had died during the agitation.
A Bill to repeal the Farm Laws is set to be taken up in the Lok Sabha on the first day of the Winter Session on Monday. Both Congress and BJP have issued whips, urging all their members to present in House all day.
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, has also called a meeting of Floor leaders of Rajya Sabha on Sunday evening at 1700 hrs. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla would meet the Floor leaders of Lok Sabha on Monday morning, at the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee.
The Winter Session of Parliament, which will start on Monday, comes after a tumultuous Monsoon Session, which was withdrawn amid protests by a united Opposition. On Friday, even before the session started, the Opposition showed unity in boycotting an event in the Central Hall of Parliament on Constitution Day. Speaker Om Birla has urged all MPs to hold debates and ensure that the House functions.