The floor leaders of the INDIA alliance held a meeting in the chamber of Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, to discuss key issues to be raised during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. Among those present was Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, along with other party leaders.
According to the Congress party, the alliance focused on the matters that need to be addressed in the Parliament session. Congress MP K. Suresh spoke to media about the meeting, stating, “A strategy meeting was held among the INDIA alliance parties with Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge in attendance. We hold discussions with all our alliance partners every session day to outline the agenda and determine our positions for the day’s business in both houses.”
On the third day of the Winter Session, Congress demanded a parliamentary discussion regarding the indictment of Adani. Congress MPs Manickam Tagore, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and Manish Tewari submitted adjournment notices concerning this issue before the session commenced. Surjewala also issued a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to address the allegations against Gautam Adani.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day amid significant disruptions caused by the opposition’s demands to discuss various issues, including the Adani indictment. The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned for the day. Earlier, the lower house had been suspended until noon on the second day of the Winter Session. Following the passing of a motion by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, BJP MP Dilip Saikia announced that the lower house would remain adjourned until November 28 at 11:00 AM.
This series of events follows the submission of adjournment motions by opposition MPs in both houses, aimed at discussing pressing issues related to Manipur, the Adani indictment, and ongoing violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal. Congress MPs Manickam Tagore and Manish Tewari had previously submitted adjournment motions in the Lok Sabha before the start of the session.
In a notice to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manickam Tagore stated, “I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house to discuss a definite matter of urgent importance.” Similarly, Manish Tewari called for a discussion on the “Impact on India as a business destination and the robustness of our regulatory and oversight processes, following two indictments in the United States against the Adani conglomerate.”
Additionally, Congress MP Hibi Eden submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha, demanding a discussion on the “deteriorating condition” in Manipur and urging the government to “take accountability and implement immediate measures to restore peace and justice.” In the Rajya Sabha, Randeep Singh Surjewala also issued a notice on the same topic, stating, “I hereby give notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to move the following motion for the suspension of business listed for November 27, 2024, to discuss serious revelations in a US court indictment alleging that the Adani Group engaged in bribery of state officials to secure power supply agreements through SECl tenders.”
The Winter Session of Parliament began on November 25, with both Houses experiencing early adjournments due to disruptions. The session is scheduled to continue until December 20.
