At all-party meet chaired by PM Modi, Opposition demands debate on unemployment, farmer distress

As the Prime Minister sought to drum up support for the key bills ahead of the Parliament meet, Azad assured that bills which are in the interest of the people will not be opposed.

Prime Minister sought to drum up support for the key bills ahead of the Parliament meet. (Express Photo: Renuka Puri)

Azad also called for early elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under President’s rule. He questioned why assembly polls could not be held simultaneously with Lok Sabha. It appears as thought the Centre wants to run the state through the Governor’s administration, he alleged.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien, on the other hand, demanded that the Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, be brought immediately in the session.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said the prime minister urged leaders of all parties to “introspect whether members of Parliament are able to fulfil people’s aspirations as their representatives and the manner in which last two years of the 16th Lok Sabha were wasted”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the all-party meeting on Sunday. (Express photo: Renuka Puri)

Joshi said that government has requested all parties, especially the opposition, for their cooperation for the smooth functioning of both the Houses of Parliament. Modi has also invited presidents of all those parties which have an MP either in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha for a meeting on June 19.

“We had a fruitful all-party meeting today, the first one after the election results and before the start of the Monsoon Session. Thankful to the leaders for their valuable suggestions. We all agreed on the smooth running of Parliament so that we can fulfil people’s aspirations,” Modi tweeted after the meeting.

We had a fruitful all-party meeting today, the first one after the election results and before the start of the Monsoon Session. Thankful to the leaders for their valuable suggestions. We all agreed on the smooth running of Parliament so that we can fulfil people’s aspirations. pic.twitter.com/WhERafppKr

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 16, 2019

Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal and J P Nadda before the all-party meeting at the Parliament. (Express Photo: Renuka Puri)

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has called a meeting of chiefs of all parties having representatives in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on June 19 to discuss “one nation, one election” issue, celebration of 75 years of India’s Independence in 2022, 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary this year and issues of “aspirational districts”, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi told reporters after the meeting.

Joshi added that Modi has also called for a meeting of MPs to discuss the issues on June 20.