Farmers Movement Archive

PM skips all-party meet on eve of winter session

NEW DELHI: The opposition indicated that it plans to raise several issues ranging from fresh demands put forward by agitating farm unions such as removal of junior home minister Ajay Mishra over the Lakhimpur Kheri violence to the Pegasus controversy even as the government is set to move for repeal of the new farm laws in Parliament on Monday. The all-party meeting on Sunday, which was not attended by PM Narendra Modi, saw the opposition listing several issues they intend to raise in the winter session, which is likely to start on a stormy note with the opposition looking to raise the heat despite the government’s decision to repeal the farm laws. The issues associated with the farm agitation were raised with gusto by the opposition parties and even parties that have cooperated with BJP in the customary meeting called by the government on the eve of the session. Modi’s decision to skip the meeting drew comments from Rajya Sabha leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who said the opposition was keen to seek clarifications from the PM on whether farm laws can be brought back after some time. Defence minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting. Parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi later said it was not a set norm for the PM to attend the meeting. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said Rahul Gandhi’s demand of Rs 4 lakh compensation for every family that suffered a Covid casualty should be accepted.

The Times of India

2021-11-29

India