As Parliament convenes for its monsoon session, ten Members of Parliament are demanding the suspension of all other business to discuss the pressing situation in Manipur. The upcoming general election and the concerning state of affairs in Manipur have stirred political tensions, prompting the Opposition to insist on a statement from the Prime Minister regarding the matter.
Here are ten key points about this significant development:
- The government has put forth an ambitious legislative agenda, with 31 bills scheduled for discussion during the monsoon session. Among them is a bill aimed at replacing the Ordinance that grants the Centre the authority to control bureaucrats posted in Delhi.
- The bill related to Delhi bureaucrats is expected to spark a major confrontation between the government and the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sought support from opposition parties, with 105 members of the Opposition voicing their opposition to the bill.
- The government appears to have an advantage in the numbers game, with the BJP and its allies commanding 105 members. Additionally, it anticipates support from five nominated and two independent MPs, as well as from the Bahujan Samaj Party led by Mayawati, the Janata Dal Secular, and the Telugu Desam Party, each of which has one MP.
- To secure a majority, the government will need the support of Naveen Patnaik’s BJD and Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSR Congress, both of which have nine members each. The BJD has stated that it will decide its stance during the bill’s discussion and voting, while Jagan Reddy’s position remains undisclosed.
- The Opposition is adamant that Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Parliament concerning the situation in Manipur, which has been experiencing ethnic violence since May 3. Ten opposition MPs have already submitted an adjournment motion on the matter.
- The situation escalated further when a video emerged showing two tribal women being paraded naked, and it quickly spread widely. The women were allegedly gang-raped, and the state police have initiated an investigation into the matter.
- In a video message, Derek O’Brien of the Trinamool Congress called on PM Modi to speak on the issue in both houses of Parliament. He warned that failure to do so would make the Prime Minister accountable for any disruptions that follow. O’Brien emphasized the need to address Manipur’s concerns.
- The Centre has stated its readiness for a discussion on the situation in Manipur. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi assured that the government is open to discussing all matters during the session, including the two-month-long violence in Manipur, which has resulted in over 80 fatalities.
- The monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to continue until August 11, encompassing a total of 17 sittings. Initially, the session will begin in the old Parliament Building, with a subsequent shift to the newly inaugurated building, offering more space than its 1927 predecessor.
- These are the significant developments as Parliament commences its monsoon session, with the Manipur situation taking center stage amid the political climate and preparations for the upcoming general election.