| 13 September 2023
In a move aimed at fostering consensus and transparency, the Indian government has announced an all-party meeting scheduled for September 17, just a day before the much-anticipated special session of Parliament commences on September 18. The announcement was made by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, who stated that invitations to the meeting have been dispatched to opposition party leaders via email.
"Ahead of the parliament session from the 18th of this month, an all-party floor leaders meeting has been convened on the 17th at 4:30 pm. The invitation for the same has been sent to concerned leaders through email. Letter to follow," Minister Joshi wrote on an official platform.
The special session of Parliament, initially unveiled by Joshi on August 31, has stirred curiosity and speculation due to the government's decision to keep the agenda shrouded in secrecy. This lack of transparency has not gone unnoticed, with opposition parties demanding clarity on the session's objectives.
Criticism from the Opposition has been robust, with Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien taking a pointed swipe at the government's secrecy. O'Brien expressed his frustration by remarking, "Two working days to go before the Special Parliament Session begins and still not a word on the agenda. Only two people know! And we still call ourselves a parliamentary democracy."
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also joined the chorus of criticism by using social media to highlight previous special sessions of the House, complete with their disclosed agendas. This pressure from the opposition underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the functioning of India's parliamentary system.
The special session of Parliament, which is set to take place from September 18 to 22, will commence in the old Parliament building before shifting to the new structure on the subsequent day. This shift is scheduled to coincide with Ganesh Chaturthi on September 19, a date traditionally considered auspicious for new beginnings.
One of the key items that may surface during the upcoming session is a resolution to rename India as "Bharat." The current reference in the Constitution of India reads, "India, that is Bharat...". However, there has been a growing call to amend this to simply "Bharat." This proposal has generated discussions and debates among lawmakers, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming parliamentary session.
As the date for the special session draws near, all eyes will be on the outcome of the all-party meeting scheduled for September 17 and whether it will shed light on the government's closely guarded agenda. The nation awaits the deliberations and decisions that will shape India's parliamentary landscape in the days to come.
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