NEW DELHI: The ruling BJP on Thursday was cornered by its own NDA allies TDP, LJP (Ramvilas) and JD(U), which sought greater time to speak and better seating arrangement in Parliament.
In the all-party meeting on the eve of the Budget session of Parliament, the opposition Congress sought to know why 26 BJP MPs were part of two parliamentary committees in violation of the rules. It also asked the government not to bring any legislation during the first half of the session.
The Samajwadi Party raised the Maha Kumbh stampede incident and asked why the Centre was not revealing the details regarding the casualties.
Sources said the Congress further pointed out during the meeting, which was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and also attended by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, that there was no chairperson from the opposition parties in any of the 12 parliamentary committees.
Even Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, said: “Since the establishment of the Standing Committees in the mid-1990s, Parliament has followed a One MP, One Standing Committee rule. Now there are 26 BJP MPs who are members of two Standing Committees. This shows how the duo (referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah) are seeking to control the Standing Committees.”
The Trinamool Congress sought a statement on Bangladesh issue from PM Modi and also sought discussions on the alleged deprivation of Opposition-ruled states, violation of the federal structure, unemployment and price rise.
DMK’s TR Baalu and Tiruchi Siva spoke about the role of Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, devolution of funds to states and the incident of firing on Tamil fishermen by a Sri Lankan Navy patrol, causing them serious injuries. Incidentally, neither of the Shiv Sena factions were present in the meeting.
Besides, opposition parties also asked the government to give relief to the lower middle class in the Union Budget and cut GST in health and life insurance.
The UGC draft guidelines on Vice-Chancellors’ appointments were also raised by the Opposition, with several parties saying that these be discussed with states before being finalised, as education comes in the Concurrent list.
Fouzia Khan of the NCP (Sharad Pawar) raised the incident of clash during the winter session in which two BJP MPs sustained injuries outside Parliament. She also asked why journalists were not allowed inside Parliament and why ministers were not replying to issues raised under the Special Mention provisions. Later, in a post on X, Rijiju described the meeting as “productive” and said “…looking forward to meaningful discussions in the House”.