• Source:JND
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As the Parliament gears up for the Winter Session, the Centre on Sunday held an all-party meeting, attended by Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, DMK, and CPI-M, among others. The Winter Session will start on December 1 and will continue till December 19, with a total of 15 sittings. 

During the meeting, the opposition demanded a detailed discussion on several issues, like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and national security, etc. One of the most pressing issues that the Opposition emphasised is national security, especially in the wake of the Delhi blast that claimed 15 lives and left several injured.

Opposition demands debate on Delhi blast

CPI-M MP John Brittas said, "Delhi blast exposed govt; we want discussion on security issues." He added that if Parliament faces disruptions, "it is full responsibility of government."

Congress' Gaurav Gogoi, the deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, said, "It seems the government, under the leadership of the prime minister and the home minister, is looking to finish off India’s democracy and parliamentary traditions."

He added that the Opposition wanted a discussion on national security, especially after the Delhi blast and "ensuring the purity of the voter list".

ALSO READ: Parliament Winter Session: Rahul Gandhi Demands Debate On Air Pollution, Slams Centre For 'No plan'

Foreign policy, Delhi pollution and economic security for farmers

Gogoi flagged other issues like economic security for farmers, alleging they were still not receiving fair prices. He also raised concerns over India's foreign policy under PM Modi's government. 

He said, "India is formulating its foreign policy on the basis of other countries. Someone does not like us buying oil from Russia. Another country is investing in its defence and we are not ready."

The alarming level of air pollution in Delhi is also expected to be raised during the session. Earlier on Friday, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi demanded a debate on the issue, accusing the government of having "no urgency, plan, or accountability" for the air pollution problem.

BAC meeting at 4 PM

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also raised several issues, saying that after the Business Advisory Committee meeting at 4 PM, they will hold a strategic meeting at 6 PM.

"The SIR was conducted across the entire state in a very short span of time, which is impossible... Blasts have occurred in the capital. Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policies are completely lost. In addition, air pollution in Delhi and other states must be discussed in detail. We have a strategic meeting today at 6 pm, and the Business Advisory Committee meeting is happening at 4 pm. Let us see what is on the BJP’s agenda," Tiwari said.

Centre, Opposition to lock horns on SIR 

SIR, which has been a contentious political issue across 12 states and UTs, has once again unified the opposition in protest. Soon after the all-party meet, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, "The TMC raised issues we had flagged earlier, SIR, MGNREGA, but these were not allowed for discussion. Why were they not allowed? The Honourable Speaker had said the government was not willing. If Parliament functions only with the government’s consent, then what value does the opposition hold?"

ALSO READ: Parliament Winter Session: Nuclear Energy, Insurance Among Key Bills Lined Up As Proceedings To Start From Dec 1

The issue of SIR is likely to bring the Treasury and the Opposition benches to face off in the House.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "No one said that the Parliament will not function or will not let it function. Some leaders said that they can create a ruckus in the House over SIR. I am saying this in a positive manner that we are ready to listen to the opposition...Parliament belongs to everyone; it belongs to the country. There is a method to discuss every issue in the Parliament. There are rules, there are conventions".

Tiruchi Siva, a member of DMK, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu where SIR is underway, said that all Opposition parties were unanimous in demanding discussion on the 'SIR' issue during the session.

National Herald FIR, a last minute entry

As the all-party meeting was held in New Delhi, another development has taken place, which triggered a political firestorm. A fresh First Information Report (FIR) has been filed in the National Herald case naming Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

The FIR has been filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police against Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, along with six others, in connection with the alleged irregular acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL).

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