The government is likely to make a statement in Parliament on the India-China standoff as the monsoon session begins on Monday. The matter was raised at the Parliament’s Business Advisory Committee meeting on Sunday, which was meant to discuss and slot agenda for business for the coming session.
Asked whether a statement will be made on the IndiaChina Line of Actual Control (LAC) standoff, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “On Tuesday we will have a leaders’ meeting and keeping in mind the sensitivities of the situation, and the strategic points in mind, the government will take a decision and we will brief the leaders in the meeting.” He added, “We have said that the government is ready for discussion whatever the issue may be.”
Meanwhile, the Congress is all set to take on the Modi government on the floor of the House. Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who attended the BAC meeting, told the media that the party has asked the government for a serious discussion in the Lok Sabha on the India-China standoff in Ladakh. He added that his party was ready to support the Central government on any step to fight against China and stressed that a tough and befitting reply should be given to Beijing. He also asked the Modi government to come up with a statement on ground reality and the developments that have taken place in the past.
Congress has also demanded the Speaker to make discussions on Covid-19, floods, migrant issue, NEET, economy in the current monsoon session. Interestingly during the BAC meeting in Parliament, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria was also called by the Speaker office to speak to the members. Dr Guleria informed the leaders about the SOPs and precautions that were needed to be followed as the Parliament session would be held during a pandemic. He assured the leaders that all necessary arrangements would be made so that the House can function.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who has been sharply criticising the Modi government since the lockdown is travelling abroad with his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for health checkup. When Chowdhury was asked about their absence, he replied that they have discussed the issues within the party and would work accordingly. Replying on floor management and Opposition unity in the Lok Sabha, he said that Opposition would be united to question the government on key issues.
With agency inputs