As Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to his fellow MPs to strive for a constructive atmosphere during the winter session of Parliament, the Opposition sounded a confrontational note by asserting that it would press for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Rafale deal.
Misuse of investigative agencies and the tension with institutions like Reserve Bank of India (RBI) were other issues cited by the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, at the all-party meeting on Monday morning.
The meeting was convened by the newly appointed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Proceedings started with a two-minute homage to Ananth Kumar, his predecessor, who passed away last month.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Modi asked parties to cooperate for the smooth functioning of Parliament.
“It is a prime responsibility for all of us to contribute to the service of the Nation and its people by ensuring smooth functioning of Parliament,” a statement from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs quoted Mr. Modi as saying.
Mr. Tomar informed that the winter session would be from December 11 to January 8, 2019 and that the government has identified 46 bills, including three new ones. The key government bills include the one on Triple Talaq.
Sena stance
The Shiv Sena said it would not allow Parliament to function if the government did not bring a bill for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. Shiv Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire said the party will press for a law on Ram Mandir. “The Shiv Sena has been demanding that the government bring a bill in Parliament for construction of the Ram temple. If the government does not do so in the winter session, starting tomorrow [Tuesday], our party will not allow Parliament to function,” Mr. Khare told reporters.
Mr. Tomar, however, avoided a direct reply, stating that “it was not on the agenda of the all-party meet.”
