India
oi-Ashish Rana
The Centre has announced that the Monsoon Session of Parliament will begin on July 20 and is likely to be a hectic one with key bills and political issues to be debated. On Saturday, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the dates, while the government and the Opposition have a packed schedule ahead.
Government To Push Major Legislative Agenda
The government has several important bills in agenda, including the proposed 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill. The Bill aims for ousting the Prime Minister and Chief Minister or any ministers from the office if they do not get bail within 30 days of their imprisonment.
Another major proposal likely to return to Parliament is the Constitutional amendment providing 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies. The government is also expected to push ahead with the politically sensitive Delimitation Bill, which has remained a subject of debate among several political parties.
Opposition Set To Raise Ayodhya Donation Theft Issue
The Opposition is preparing to corner the government on multiple fronts during the session. One of the key issues expected to be raised is the alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Apart from this, Opposition parties may also seek discussions on other political and governance-related matters, making the session a likely battleground between the treasury benches and the Opposition.
Defections Could Change Political Equations
The Monsoon Session will also reflect a changed political landscape following recent defections from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT).
One of the closely-watched developments will be Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s response on the merger of 20 rebel Trinamool MPs with the little-known NCPI. The Speaker is also likely to take a decision on the inclusion of six Uddhav Sena MPs in the fold of Eknath Shindes’ Shiv Sena that could impact the power balance in the House further.
Seating Arrangement And Privilege Motion In Focus
The Opposition is also likely to take up the matter of conducting a privilege proceedings against Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the session.
As Parliament gears up for one of its most closely-watched sessions of the year, meanwhile, the DMK has reportedly been making moves to secure its own place in Parliament outside the Congress’ presence, indicating political changes within the Opposition alliance.
