The ongoing conflict between the ruling party and the opposition during the monsoon session of Parliament shows no signs of abating. Opposition MPs are continuously protesting on various issues, due to which the proceedings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are being repeatedly disrupted. Meanwhile, efforts to end the deadlock in Parliament have also intensified. On Wednesday, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MPs appeared in a different style in the Parliament premises and joined the protest wearing ‘Gen Z’ style red caps.
Amid the ongoing uproar in Parliament, the government attempted to engage with the opposition. In this context, Kiren Rijiju met with Rahul Gandhi in Parliament House. The two leaders reportedly spoke for approximately 50 minutes. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also present at the meeting. Rijiju then met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
This meeting is being seen as an important initiative toward ending the ongoing deadlock in Parliament. The opposition has been demanding that the government respond to and discuss the issues raised by it in the House. Earlier, several opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, protested against Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Makar Dwar of Parliament.
The opposition demanded answers from the government on several issues, including alleged police action against CJP protesters on July 20 and alleged irregularities in donations for the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Opposition leaders said the Prime Minister and Home Minister should come to the House and make statements on these issues.
SP MP arrives at Parliament in Gen Z look
The style of Samajwadi Party MPs also became a topic of discussion on Wednesday. Instead of their traditional red caps, SP MPs were seen wearing a new design of red caps. This was seen as a ‘Gen Z look’. In this style, SP MPs joined other opposition leaders in the march and demonstration held in the Parliament complex.
SP MP Dimple Yadav raised the issue of E20 petrol, saying it directly impacts the economy of ordinary people. She claimed that the use of E20 petrol is impacting vehicle mileage and engine performance. She demanded the government issue clear guidelines on this issue.
Priyanka Gandhi targeted the government
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said during the protest that those in constitutional and responsible positions are accountable to the public. She said that in a democracy, the government must answer questions from the public and Parliament.
Raising the issue of alleged action against the protesters, Priyanka Gandhi said that if force has been used then responsibility should be fixed and the concerned people should be made to answer.
Kharge said – PM and Home Minister should come to the House
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said the opposition is demanding that the Prime Minister and Home Minister come to Parliament to make statements and participate in the debate. He added that the opposition is ready for discussion and that the current impasse can only be resolved through dialogue.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also demanded the presence of the Prime Minister and Home Minister in the House. Congress leader Pawan Khera demanded answers from the Home Minister regarding the alleged police action and allegations related to donations in Ayodhya.
Currently, the Monsoon Session of Parliament remains locked in a stalemate between the government and the opposition. While the opposition is demanding answers and discussions from the government on various issues, the government is attempting to ensure smooth functioning of the House through dialogue. Following the meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Kiren Rijiju, all eyes are now on whether a consensus can be reached between the two sides and Parliamentary proceedings can proceed normally.