New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) Government on Sunday hoped for a smooth conduct of upcoming Winter Session, as a series of coordination meetings were held, where Opposition leaders raised a number of issues, including the farmers' protests, MSP, and price rise.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend the all party meet, prompting Opposition leaders to question his absence.
Ahead of the session where repeal of Farm Laws is set to take place, government ally National People's Party (NPP) also demanded scrapping the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), urging government to take into account sentiments of people of Northeast.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, after a meeting of the floor leaders of various parties, said Opposition has assured cooperation in conduct of business, adding that government is ready for discussion on any topic permitted by the Chairs.
"Many constructive suggestions were given. Keeping them in view, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on behalf of the government that the government will be ready for any discussions which are permitted by the Speaker and Chairman under the rules," Joshi told the media.
"As per rules, we are ready for any debate, the House should function, that is the request we made to the Opposition. Opposition has assured cooperation," he said.
Asked about the absence of Prime Minister Modi from the meeting, the minister said, "The trend of PM attending the meet started after Modiji became PM, this time he could not attend."
A meeting of floor leaders was called by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, while Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu called a meeting of floor leaders from Rajya Sabha in the evening.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Malliakrjun Kharge said after the meeting called by the Chairman that he hoped the government would allow discussions on "critical national issues".
"We expressed our intent to discuss critical national issues in the winter session. We hope that the government allows this session to be constructive and consensual in the interest of the nation," Kharge said.
Congress leaders have said they would raise issues like MSP, Farm Laws and farmers' protests, suspension of MoS Home Ajay Mishra, price rise, situation at the India-China border and rising terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.
Trinamool Congress gave a list of ten issues, which included federal structure being weakened, disinvestment of PSUs, BSF jurisdiction, women's reservation bill and 'bulldozing bills' in Parliament, along with issues like unemployment, price rise, Pegasus, and Covid situation.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh meanwhile walked out of the meeting alleging he was not allowed to speak.
A meeting of NDA allies meanwhile saw Meghalaya's National People's Party leader Agatha Sangma demand scrapping the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Apna Dal MP and union minister Anupriya Patel meanwhile raised the issue of caste based census, said sources. a meeting of BJP's Parliamentary party was also held.
At a meeting of BJP's Parliamentary Party, president JP Nadda stressed on MPs having good attendance. He also said government is prepared to counter opposition on all issues, including issues like farm laws and Pegasus snooping controversy. MPs were also given details of bills to be taken up in Parliament.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla would meanwhile meet floor leaders from Lok Sabha on Monday morning. Opposition parties have also been called for a meeting tomorrow morning by Congress. Trinamool Congress leaders have however said they may not attend the meeting.
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