As many as 24 political parties of the newly formed opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) will attend the special session of parliament starting from September 18, media reports quoted sources as saying.
The decision was taken during a meeting of I.N.D.I.A bloc floor leaders at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday evening.
The report further said that the floor leaders of the opposition bloc had also finalized the issues that they would raise during the special session. Citing sources, the report said Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairwoman Sonia Gandhi would write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the same issue.
It was also revealed that Gandhi would write about the early passage of the women’s reservation bill in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) during the session, as it had already been passed by the Rajya Sabha (Upper House).
While talking to the media, Kharge said the federal government was convening a special session of parliament for the first time without spelling out the agenda and without consulting or informing opposition parties. "This is not the way to run a democracy," he said.
Talking about the agenda of the session, the Congress president said: "Every day this government plants a story in media of a prospective 'agenda', thereby creating a smokescreen of diversion from real issues burdening the people."
Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of ignoring issues like inflation, unemployment, and the Manipur violence, Kharge said: "The I.N.D.I.A parties discussed the way forward for the special session. We shall not be deterred in raising people's issues; we intend to keep our focus on these. Let the BJP know — Bharat Judega, I.N.D.I.A Jeetega (India will unite, I.N.D.I.A will win)."
Meanwhile, Congress deputy Lok Sabha leader Gaurav Gogoi said that leaders of I.N.D.I.A parties have decided to keep their unity at any cost and noted that the BJP was rattled by it.
"We demand that the BJP should show transparency and tell the country what is the agenda of this special session. The I.N.D.I.A alliance has agreed that we want a constructive session that could help in the progress of the country and is in its interest," Gogoi said.
Special Parliamentary Session
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Prahlad Joshi last week took to X (formerly Twitter) to inform that a special session of parliament will be held from September 18-22.
However, he did not reveal the agenda for the special session, prompting speculation that the government might bring in a bill for 'One Nation, One Election' as an eight-member committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind had been set up to examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections in the country.
The special session will be held days after the G20 Summit concludes.
The special session will be held days after the G20 Summit concludes.
Generally, three parliament sessions are held in India – Winter, Monsoon and Budget. The monsoon session concluded just last month.
The special session also holds significance as assembly elections are scheduled to be held in five states later this year while parliamentary elections will be held in March-April 2024.