New Delhi,20 July: An all-party meeting is currently underway in Parliament, marking a significant preparatory gathering ahead of the Budget Session 2024. The meeting, hosted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, sees the participation of leaders from multiple political parties.
Among the notable attendees are Tiruchi Shiva, AIUML leader E.T. Mohammad Basheer, Jana Sena Party leader Bala Krishna, BJD leader Sasmit Patra, JDU leader Sanjay Jha, Union Ministers Ramdas Athawale, Praful Patel, Chirag Paswan, and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi. Prominent BJP figures, including Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and BJP President JP Nadda, are also present.
However, representatives from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) are absent, as they are in West Bengal observing Shahidi Divas (Martyrdom Day), a significant state event. TMC sources have clarified that their absence is not a boycott but a reflection of the day’s importance. Additionally, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav is in Kolkata, attending the observance at the invitation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar remarked on the meeting, stating, “This meeting is a formality as the Parliament session starts tomorrow. However, it is our responsibility to raise public issues, and we will definitely do that. The biggest issue is NEET; it needs to be cancelled.” CPI-M MP John Brittas emphasized that parties are insisting on discussing issues affecting the public, including the situation in Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, “communal polarisation” in UP, exam frauds, and unemployment.
Brittas further highlighted the necessity for proper parliamentary functioning, “Parliament should function properly and there should be debate and discussion, which has not been happening for the past 10 years. We want the government to understand the ground reality… The unemployment rate is at its peak, and people are starving. There has been an assault on the power of the states.”
This all-party meeting underscores the critical discussions and preparations as political leaders gear up for the forthcoming Budget Session 2024, focusing on various pressing national issues.
