The Center has called for a special five-day session of Parliament between 18 and 22 September.
The development comes after Congress leader Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi citing nine issues for discussion and stating that the government was not sharing its agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session.
Pralhad Joshi said: “It is very unfortunate that you are politicizing the work of our Parliament and if there is no controversy then you are unnecessarily inflaming it. We will email the public what will happen during the five days of the session at an appropriate time.”
Responding to Congress’ claim that the agenda of this special session was not shared, Joshi said, “Never before, even when other governments were present at the Center, was the agenda circulated in advance. They (Congress) are unnecessarily politicizing the issue and that’s a real shame.”
“As you know, regular sessions of Parliament are held in accordance with the constitutional mandate of Article 85, which states that the President may from time to time convene any House of Parliament at such time and place as he sees fit. one meeting, but there will not be a six-month interval between the last meeting in one session and the date set for the first meeting in the next session,” the letter said.
He further said that according to the fully established procedure, after approval by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, the President has convened the session of Parliament from September 18.
“I would also like to say that our government is always ready to discuss any issue. All the issues you have mentioned were raised shortly before during the discussion of the no-confidence motion during the monsoon session and the government has also responded to them. ,” he said.
He wrote in the letter: “The agenda of the session will, as usual, be circulated at the appropriate time, according to established practice. I would also like to reiterate that in our parliamentary functioning, regardless of which party is in government, to date the agenda has never been circulated in advance at the time of convening parliament.”
“I have every confidence that the dignity of Parliament will be preserved and that this platform will not be used for political disputes. In addition, I look forward to your full cooperation in ensuring that the upcoming session runs smoothly, resulting in meaningful results in the national interest,” he said. added.
“Maybe you don’t pay attention to traditions. No discussions are held with political parties, nor are issues ever discussed before the session of Parliament is convened,” he added.
Echoing Joshi’s statement, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi said that the agenda is always set as the session approaches and only the dates for the session are set initially.
Lekhi said, “Every time a parliamentary session starts, only the dates are determined. It’s not the first time this has happened. The agenda will be set as the session approaches.”
Meanwhile, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, addressing Sonia Gandhi, said that Congress parliamentary party president Sonia Gandhi has written a letter to Prime Minister Modi, to which Union Minister Prahlad Joshi has sent a reply.
“It is sad that Sonia Gandhi, the Congress party and the Opposition have tried to politicize it… I request Sonia Gandhi and her party to participate in the special session… Congress has no problems… They only care statements to divide the nation,” said Goyal.
Earlier, Sonia Gandhi, president of the Congress parliamentary party, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a discussion and debate on various issues including the current economic situation of the country.
In her letter to the Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi said that the opposition is very keen to participate in the special session as it will provide an opportunity to raise issues of public interest and concern.
She went on to say that the session is taking place without any consultation with other political parties and that none of them have any idea of the agenda for the session.
“You have convened a special five-day session of Parliament starting September 18, 2023. I must point out that this special session was convened without any consultation with other political parties. None of us have any idea of the agenda,” she said in her letter.
“All we have been informed is that all five days are reserved for government business. We certainly want to participate in the special session as it will give us the opportunity to raise issues of public interest and concern,” said Sonia Gandhi.
She went on to say that the session is taking place without any consultation with other political parties and that none of them have any idea of the agenda for the session.
At the special session, the Congress leader further pushed for a discussion on several issues, including the necessity of the caste census, Manipur, inter-clash and inflation.
“I fervently hope that time will be made available under the applicable rules for discussion and debate on these issues. These are the current economic situation with a focus on rising prices of essential commodities, growing unemployment, rising inequality and the distress of MSMEs, commitments made by the Government of India to farmers and farmer organizations regarding MSP and other demands made They demand a JPC (Joint Parliamentary Commission) to investigate the transactions of the Adani business group in light of all the revelations,” she said.
Sonia also demanded a discussion about the rift between different states and the Center.
“Debate on the ongoing pain faced by the people of Manipur and the disintegration of the constitutional apparatus and social harmony in the state, the urgent need for a caste census, the damage being done to relations between the center states and the impact of natural disasters caused by extreme flooding in some countries. States and drought in other countries must be stopped,” said the former Speaker of Congress.
The congress leader further demanded that there be a discussion about the rise in inter-community tensions in various states such as Haryana and the continued “occupation of Indian territory by China.”
She further said that, in a spirit of constructive cooperation, these issues should be raised at the upcoming special session.
Recently, via a post on X (former Twitter), Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and asked, “How far are you going to mislead Joshi-avare?”
“On every occasion of a special session/meeting, the agenda was well known in advance. Only the Modi government systematically disrespects Parliament and distorts parliamentary conventions. Past governments, including yours, have convened many special sessions to mark Constitution Day, Quit India Movement and other similar occasions,” he tweeted.
He further compiled an exhaustive list of previous cases, starting with special sessions.
“June 30, 2017 – A joint special session in the Central Hall at midnight to roll out the GST. In July 2008, a special session of Lok Sabha was convened for a vote of confidence after the left parties gained the support of the UPA-1 government withdrawn From August 26, 1997 to September 1, 1997, a special session was convened to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indian independence.
Earlier there were two instances where the upper house met for a special session when the Lok Sabha was dissolved:-
“Special Session (158th Session) was held for two days commencing on 3 June 1991, approving the rule of the President in Haryana subject to Article 356(3). The Special Session of Rajya Sabha was held in February 1977 for two days for the renewal of the presidency in Tamil Nadu and Nagaland under the second provision of Article 356(4),” he tweeted.
Putting up lists of special sessions Jairam Ramesh said, “Special session held in the central hall on November 26, 2019 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the constitution amid the then-ongoing winter session.”
August 9, 2017 – Special session commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, amid the ongoing monsoon session. 26 and 27 November 2015 – Special session commemorating Constitution Day. May 13, 2012 – Special session commemorating the 60th anniversary of the first sessions of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha – during the then ongoing budget session,” he said.
Earlier, Congress Secretary General Jairam Ramesh said that the INDIA bloc of opposition parties will attend the special session of Parliament to be held from 18 to 22 September.
“We have decided that we will not boycott the special session as it is an opportunity for us to raise public issues that concern the public,” Ramesh said at a press conference in Delhi.
Meanwhile, 24 parties from the INDIA bloc have agreed to participate in the special session of parliament that will begin on September 18. Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) president Sonia Gandhi will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of these 24 parties, sources said.
However, the agenda for the special session has not yet been announced.’
The parliament’s monsoon session, which concluded last month, was held at the old parliament building. The announcement of the special session came as a surprise to political circles as the parties geared up for parliamentary elections later this year in five states.
See all political news and updates on DailyExertNews. Download the Mint News app for daily market updates and live business news.
. or less
Updated: September 6, 2023, 11:51 PM IST