NEW DELHI: The Centre on Sunday expressed its readiness to discuss all “important issues” in the monsoon session of Parliament raised by opposition parties, including Operation Sindoor and repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that he had facilitated the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.At the customary floor leaders’ meeting ahead of the session beginning on Monday, opposition raised various issues, including voter rolls revision in Bihar, “lapses” leading to the Pahalgam attack and Trump’s claims.“We are very open to a discussion… These are issues of great national importance. Govt is not shying away and will never shy away, but is open to discussions within rules and conventions,” parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said following the meeting chaired by Union minister J P Nadda.
PM reply unlikely
Sources said that there was no assurance about a discussion on the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar, about which opposition parties have been vocal and critical of Election Commission.NDA allies want Sindoor debate to highlight govt achievementsCentre’s “reluctance” to discuss EC’s role on the floor of the House also stems from the fact that NDA partners, including JDU, have not raised questions about the Bihar SIR after their own surveys found no irregularities. JDU’s Sanjay Kumar told reporters there were reports that people did not have any issue with the SIR.Normally, defence minister Rajnath Singh, who is deputy leader of Lok Sabha, chairs the floor leaders’ meeting, but he was reportedly unwell and skipped the meeting attended by 54 members from different parties and independent MPs.“We have noted all the points. We have requested all parties to ensure Parliament functions properly. We have to ensure coordination. It is responsibility of all to help Parliament function,” Rijiju said, adding that govt would reply appropriately whenever a discussion takes place on Trump’s ceasefire claims.Although Centre indicated its willingness to respond to Trump’s claims, it will be walking a tightrope. Govt will need to be careful in its response, considering Trump’s position, to ensure that bilateral relations, especially at a time when they are on the verge of signing a trade treaty, remain unaffected.INDIA bloc insisted PM Narendra Modi should respond on the US president’s “ceasefire” claims and the SIR in Bihar. Sources said the PM is unlikely to respond in Parliament on these issues, and the respective ministers will present govt’s point of view.Sources said even BJP’s allies want a discussion on Operation Sindoor to highlight govt’s achievements after all-party delegations visited various nations.At the meeting, Congress’s deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi demanded a discussion on “lapses” that led to Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, statements by J&K LG, Chief of Defence Staff, Deputy Chief of Army Staff, and Trump’s claims. Other opposition parties also raised these issues.
