A day after INDIA bloc parties wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss the developments following the terror attack in Pahalgam, the Opposition parties Wednesday hit out at the government for announcing the dates of the Monsoon session “so much in advance” and alleged that it was done to dilute the demand for the special session.
Barring AAP and NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar, all other INDIA bloc parties had signed the letter. The AAP is learnt to have sent a separate letter raising the same demand.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju Wednesday announced that the Monsoon session of the Parliament will commence on July 21 and conclude on August 12.
Criticising the government action, Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh said that “usually the dates of the Parliament session are announced a few days in advance”.
“But this time, the dates were announced 47 days before the session began — this has never happened before,” Ramesh said. He alleged that the decision was taken by the government only to avoid the demand of the India alliance to convene an urgent special session of Parliament.
“Serious issues including the failure of the government to bring to justice the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack, impact of Operation Sindoor and the situation that arose thereafter and blatant politicisation of Operation Sindoor should be discussed in Parliament,” the Congress MP said.
“All these issues, which are of supreme national interest, will remain the focus of discussion during the monsoon session as well. After six weeks, the Prime Minister will have to answer some difficult questions,” said Ramesh.
MP Javed Ali Khan said the government “wants to dilute the Opposition’s demand for a special session”. “This is unprecedented,” he said.
TMC Parliamentary Leader in Derek O’Brien said “the government is scared”.
“Usually, a Parliament session is announced around 19 days ahead. This time, they announced it 47 days ahead. So scared,” said O’Brien.
AIMIM chief and MP Asadduddin Owaisi said that during the Monsoon session, there must be a debate on the Pahalgam attack, the alleged security lapse, and those accountable for it.
AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said that the Monsoon session is a regular session, and the government was not doing any favours by announcing it now. “We will continue our demand for a discussion in (Parliament) on the issues related to Pakistan,” said Singh.
RSP MP N K Premchandran also criticised the government action.
