The INDIA Bloc, comprising 24 parties, has announced its participation in the upcoming special session of Parliament, set to commence on September 18. The decision was reached during a meeting of INDIA Bloc floor leaders at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, as reported by ANI.
Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), will write a letter to Prime Minister Modi on behalf of the INDIA Bloc, conveying the issues to be raised during the special Parliament session. The agenda for the session has not yet been disclosed.
The announcement of the five-day special session of Parliament was made by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi last week, although the specific topics to be addressed have not been revealed.
The Congress party has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s perceived lack of transparency regarding the upcoming session. In a strongly worded statement, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Gaurav Gogoi voiced their concerns and outlined the critical issues they intend to address during the special session.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary, stated, “We are not going to listen to Modi chalisa for five days…We hope that the opposition will also get an opportunity to raise their issues which are of concern to the people. Our demand would be that there should be a discussion on those issues, and with this sentiment, we would participate in this special session.”
Gaurav Gogoi, a Congress MP, expressed his confusion about the purpose of the special session and the lack of explanation from the Center. He commented, “Why has this special session of Parliament been called? There has been no explanation from the Centre yet. After 12-13 days, a Special Session is being held in Parliament, and the country does not know the speciality of this Special Session.”
The decision of the INDIA Bloc to participate in the special Parliament session signifies the intention of various political parties to engage with and address critical issues, even as they seek clarity on the session’s agenda and purpose.