New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): With the Monsoon Session of Parliament set to begin shortly, the Central government on Sunday urged political parties to work together to ensure productive proceedings. The appeal came during an all-party meeting convened to discuss the legislative agenda, but the gathering witnessed a dramatic exit by opposition leaders over the participation of certain rebel Members of Parliament.
Following the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was looking forward to a meaningful session where all elected representatives could raise public issues and engage in constructive discussions. He noted that several important bills and policy matters would be introduced during the session and stressed that Parliament functions best when debates, rather than disruptions, dominate proceedings.
According to Rijiju, a healthy parliamentary democracy thrives on differing opinions, and the government is prepared to hear criticism as long as it is expressed through established parliamentary procedures. He added that every party, whether in government or opposition, has an equal responsibility to ensure that the House functions effectively.
However, the meeting was overshadowed by a protest from opposition parties, which walked out over the inclusion of rebel MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT). Senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said the opposition decided to boycott the discussions after objecting to the Speaker’s decision to invite legislators whose status remains disputed within their respective parties.
Despite the disagreement, Rijiju appealed to opposition leaders to avoid repeated disruptions during the session. He said past parliamentary sittings had frequently been affected by protests and adjournments, reducing the time available for legislative business.
The minister remarked that interruptions inside Parliament not only delay crucial debates but also result in the loss of valuable public resources. He urged parties to register their disagreements through debate, discussion and parliamentary procedures instead of creating disorder in the House.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to dialogue, Rijiju said ministers would remain open to hearing concerns raised by opposition members. At the same time, he expressed hope that all parties would reciprocate by allowing the Monsoon Session to proceed without unnecessary disruptions, enabling Parliament to address key national issues and legislative priorities.
