Monsoon Session begins today: UP Assembly to hold 24-hour-long marathon debate on ‘2047 Vision Document’ for ‘holistic development of state’

The special debate is likely to take place on August 13 and 14, ahead of Independence Day.

Speaking at the all-party meeting, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh will be the first Assembly to hold a detailed discussion on the “Vision Document 2047”, which will include suggestions from all parties for a “holistic development of the state”.

The chief minister also said the special discussion “will not be the agenda of any political party, but a common plan for the future of the state.”

“Till now, members used to talk about their respective areas. However, this special discussion will provide direction for the future of the entire state. The chief minister expressed confidence that this will make the state Uttam Pradesh (the best state),” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said after the meeting.

He also said that keeping in mind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of ‘Developed India 2047′, initiatives being undertaken in UP in this regard are a “historic opportunity”.

Speaker Mahana sought the cooperation of all party leaders for a smooth conduct of the session, and maintained that “democracy is strengthened only by dialogue and positive discussion in the parliamentary system”. “As the largest Legislative Assembly of the country, the proceedings here set an example for other legislatures,” he added.

Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey (Samajwadi Party), Minister Sanjay Nishad, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) leader Om Prakash Rajbhar, Congress MLA Aradhana Mishra, BSP MLA Umashankar Singh, and independent MLA Kunwar Raghuraj Pratap Singh ‘Raja Bhaiya’ were present in the meeting.

The Opposition Samajwadi Party (SP), however, said it would raise the merger of government schools, law and order, and floods, and target the BJP government for holding a brief session of four days.

“The four-day session is merely a formality. Samajwadi Party legislators as well as our alliance partners will try our best to raise all important issues strongly in the House in the given time,” said SP’s Sangram Yadav.

SP legislator Ravidas Mehrotra said, “This government is bringing a vision document for 2047. The fact is that they are going to lose power in 2029 at the Centre. The BJP government in the state has failed to tell the public about its current vision for the development of the state, but is busy talking about 2047! There is unemployment, price rise, farmers are troubled, and there is a problem of electricity.”

Speaking to mediapoersons after the meeting, Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra said her party wanted a longer session. “At least 10 days are needed to discuss different issues of significance affecting the state and people. But I fail to understand why the BJP government is shying away from the discussion despite being in the majority. They should have at least given more time for discussion on such an important issue,” Mishra added.

Sources said the Opposition is preparing to corner the government on issues of merger of schools, clash between power minister and employees, law and order, women’s security, farmers’ issues, unemployment, as well as price rise.

Earlier in the day, the CM inaugurated the newly constructed dome at the entrance of the Vidhan Bhavan and the Assembly hall. He also inaugurated the renovated Assembly hall number 15 and a VVIP canteen.