New Delhi:
Following the all-party meeting organized by the government ahead of the Monsoon session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi addressed reporters, stating that the government is prepared to discuss the situation in Manipur in Parliament.
However, Joshi dismissed the demand made by the Congress and other opposition parties for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the Manipur violence in Parliament. He claimed that the opposition was seeking an excuse to disrupt the proceedings of both Houses and explained that issues like Manipur fall under the purview of the Home Ministry, making it the appropriate authority to respond.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, had previously announced that his party would bring an adjournment motion on Manipur in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, seeking Prime Minister Modi’s response to the prevailing situation.
Joshi further expressed the government’s willingness to discuss the Manipur situation once the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman allocate a date and time for the discussion. He also appealed for the cooperation of the opposition in facilitating the smooth functioning of both Houses.
Regarding the opposition’s formation of an alliance under the name INDIA, the minister commented, “Nothing changes with the change in the name. People are still the same. It is old wine in a new bottle.”
Additionally, Mohammed Basheer, an MP from the Indian Union Muslim League, informed reporters that strong protests were raised during the meeting against the Uniform Civil Code. He expressed concerns about the potential disturbance to harmony in India and also raised the issue of Manipur, urging the government to intervene and find a solution.