News Analysis India

Tag: opposition

  • Opposition parties likely to seek Supreme Court’s intervention in Pegasus issue

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: The opposition is all set to approach the Supreme Court seeking an independent probe into the Pegasus snooping issue.

    “Pegasus issue is a very serious security concern for the nation. The opposition is planning to approach the Supreme Court for unbiased and fair investigations in the Pegasus snooping case,” sources told ANI.

    The move comes soon after the BJP levelled serious allegations against the opposition parties that they were not allowing the Parliament to function.

    “The opposition parties are responsible for not allowing both Houses of Parliament to transact any business. The disruption in Parliament has resulted in a loss of over Rs 133 crore to taxpayers’ money,” the BJP had alleged.

    Many opposition parties have decided to approach the apex court, instead of raising the Pegasus issue in the Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

    Opposition parties have decided to change their agenda in Parliament from Monday.

    “From this week we have decided to raise issues like inflation, hike in fuel prices, unemployment and COVID mismanagement in Parliament,” sources added.

    Earlier, opposition parties including Congress had demanded a court-monitored probe into the Pegasus issue. 

  • ‘Government is scared to discuss issues like price rise in Parliament’: Priyanka Gandhi

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday attacked the government, alleging that it is “scared” of a discussion in Parliament on issues that concern people like price rise. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been rocked by Opposition protests since the Monsoon session commenced on July 19 over the Pegasus snooping controversy, farm laws and price rise.

    “They are used to questions like ‘how do you eat mangoes’, therefore, they are scared of discussion in Parliament on issues that concern people like price rise,” Priyanka Gandhi alleged in a tweet in Hindi.

    Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said the government is ready for discussion on issues “directly related” to the people. The protests are over a “non-issue, non-serious issue”, said Joshi, the parliamentary affairs minister.

  • Opposition parties demand JPC probe to ascertain details of farmer deaths during agitation

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Shiromani Akali Dal, NCP, Shiv Sena and some other opposition parties, including the Left parties, have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe to ascertain the details of farmer deaths during the “Kisan Andolan” against three agriculture laws.

    In a letter to the speaker, leaders of various parties, including Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena, NCP, BSP, JKNC, RLP, CPI and CPM, have urged his intervention in the matter. The letter came in the wake of Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar’s statement that the Centre has no knowledge of farmer deaths.

    The Opposition leaders said the minister’s statement has hurt the sentiments of the farming community across the country and he should apologise as he has insulted the farmers. They said Tomar has stated in Parliament that the Centre does not have any record of the farmers who died during the ongoing Kisan Andolan at Delhi’s borders.

    The farmers have been protesting against three agriculture laws of the Centre and demanding their scrapping since November last year. Leaders of SAD and other parties are set to meet the president in this regard on Saturday morning.

    “It is shocking that the ‘annadaata’ was subjected to this insult, despite clear-cut recorded proof of hundreds of farmers being martyred during the Kisan Andolan. It is even more appalling that the agriculture minister has gone on record to say that neither a study has been conducted to verify the numbers of these farmer deaths nor a study to understand the apprehensions in the minds of farmers regarding the three farm laws,” the leaders said.

    They said this is a very serious lapse on the part of the minister and alleged that “he has, in fact, misled the nation”. “We urge you to ask the minister to apologise to the farming community for his intemperate remarks that have hurt their self-respect. We urge you to form a Joint Parliamentary Committee led by an Opposition member to probe the entire issue and ascertain details of the total number of lives lost in the ongoing Kisan Andolan and suggest ways and means to rehabilitate the victim families,” the Opposition leaders said.

    The JPC could also take feedback directly from farmers and their representatives about their reservations vis-a-vis the three agriculture laws and submit the same to the government for necessary action, they said in their letter.

    The leaders hoped that the insult meted out to farmers and their democratic protest is addressed through the speaker’s intervention, which will send out a clear signal that the temple of democracy stands with the “annadaata” and will not take any insult heaped on him.

    Among the signatories to the letter were Harsimrat Kaur Badal (SAD), Supriya Sule (NCP), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena), Danish Ali (BSP), Hanuman Beniwal (RLP), PR Natarajan (CPM), M Selvaraj (CPI) and Hasnain Masoodi (JKNC).

  • ‘United’ Opposition wants Parliament to discuss Pegasus row, Rahul rejects disruption charges

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The opposition on Wednesday hardened its stand on the Pegasus spyware issue with 14 parties unitedly demanding a debate in Parliament in the presence of the prime minister or the home minister and a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter.

    Earlier in the day, leaders of various opposition parties met and decided to submit similar adjournment notices on the matter.

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the meeting of 14 opposition parties.

    “The opposition is united for a discussion on the Pegasus issue… We are not going anywhere till it is discussed in Parliament,” Gandhi told reporters in the presence of leaders of 13 other opposition parties.

    ALSO READ | Congress MPs throw papers, torn placards at Chair in Lok Sabha

    He also rejected the government’s charges over the disruption of Parliament and said the opposition was only fulfilling its responsibility.

    Gandhi attacked the government over the Pegasus spyware row, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of “hitting the soul of India’s democracy by snooping upon its institutions”.

    The voice of the opposition is being suppressed in Parliament, he alleged.

    “We just have one question. Has the Government of India bought Pegasus, yes or no? Did the government use Pegasus weapon on its own people, yes or no? That is all we wish to know,” he told reporters at Vijay Chowk.

    Gandhi also said the Pegasus spyware row “for us, is an issue of nationalism, treason”.

    “This is not a matter of privacy. For me, it is an anti-national work.” Accusing PM Modi of using Pegasus spyware against the people of India, Gandhi said, “This weapon has been used against India.”

    “It should be used against terrorists. We are asking the prime minister and the home minister why did you use it against democratic institutions? What has Indian democracy done that you have used the weapon against democracy?” he posed.

    The government has been rejecting all opposition charges over the issue.

    Rahul Gandhi said the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are places “where we have to speak and everyone is united on a discussion on Pegasus”.

    “The government is refusing to allow us a discussion. Obviously, the government has done something wrong, something dangerous for the country. That is the issue.”

    “We want a discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha where either the prime minister, who has ordered the action, or the home minister, who is a party to ordering that action, because no one else can do it, has to be present.

    Pegasus is a weapon sold by one country to another,” Gandhi said.

    ALSO READ | Opposition damaged dignity of Parliament, says BJP after ruckus in Lok Sabha 

    The former Congress chief said people need to understand that if the issue of Pegasus spyware is not discussed now, then the matter would be over.

    “The prime minister and the home minister have assaulted the democratic spirit of India. That is why we are seeking Pegasus discussion and without that, we will not go anywhere,” Gandhi said.

    DMK’s T R Baalu said the government has given an impression that the opposition parties are against holding discussions in Parliament.

    “It’s not so. We wanted a discussion from day one. Every day, we are giving notices but the government is not coming forward for a discussion…It is a matter of great concern for democracy. Pegasus matter has to be taken very seriously. Like-minded people should come together to see that the matter is discussed,” he said.

    Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut alleged that “the government has indulged in backstabbing and attacked us with this weapon”.

    Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party said the government’s allegation that the opposition is running away from a discussion is “false propaganda”.

    “No institution has been left out of this snooping and the truth will not come till a Supreme Court-monitored probe is conducted.

    The corruption in the Rafale deal is linked to this snooping issue,” said Sanjay Singh of the AAP.

    NCP’s Supriya Sule said the opposition parties were united in their demand for the discussion in Parliament on the snooping row.

    An international media consortium has reported that over 300 verified mobile phone numbers, including of two ministers, over 40 journalists, three opposition leaders and one sitting judge besides scores of businesspersons and activists in India could have been targeted for hacking through the spyware.

  • Lok Sabha adjourned for third time as opposition creates ruckus over Pegasus, other issues

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the third time on Wednesday as opposition created ruckus in the House while protesting over Pegasus and other issues.

    When the House reassembled at 2 pm, Rajendra Agrawal, who was chairing the proceedings, took up matters under Rule 377 and asked protesting members to go back to their respective seats.

    As the din continued, Agrawal adjourned the Lok Sabha till 2:30 pm.

    As the Lok Sabha met in the morning, the House took up Question Hour amid continued slogan-shouting by opposition members.

    Opposition protest intensified post noon and Congress members were seen throwing papers at the Chair and Treasury benches while protesting Pegasus and other issues, following which the House was adjourned for about 20 minutes till 12:30 pm.

  • BJP decides to take on breach of protocol, attempts by opposition CMs to politicise meetings with PM Modi

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to go on the offensive against Chief Ministers who breach protocol and make details of confidential meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi public.

    Sources stated that the party decided to nip these political moves in the bud after Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren tweeted and claimed that the Prime Minister only did his “Mann ki Baat” during the conversation over the COVID-19 situation.

    Sources in the BJP stated that this is the second time in the past few days that details of calls between the Prime Minister and a Chief Minister have been made public with the intent to politicise the issues discussed during conversations.

    The party would use social media and other platforms to disseminate the right information and clarify any attempts at politicising such high level meetings, sources added.

    “Recently Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did a live telecast of a virtual meet with the PM Modi breaching protocol. Now, Jharkhand CM Soren dis something that can be termed breach of trust. This should be condemned,” stated a senior party leader.

    BL Santhosh, the party’s National General Secretary (Organisation), too took to Twitter to condemn the details put out by the Jharkhand CM regarding his telephonic conversation with PM Modi.

    “This is the level to which some politicians are stooping. PM called and has detailed talk regarding COVID-19 crisis and this CM tweeted so. He lacks minimum grace required for the position he holds,” Santhosh tweeted.

    Earlier, Soren had tweeted in Hindi, “The Prime Minister called today. He only delivered his ‘Mann ki Baat’ during the conversation. It would have been better if he had listened to and spoken on important matters.”

    Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio both criticised Soren for playing politics when PM Modi is extending help to combat COVID-19.

    “In my experience as a Chief Minister for several tenures, PM Modi has always been sensitive to the concerns of the states, particularly those of the Northeast. I disagree with the Jharkhand CM and hope he retracts his statement,” tweeted Rio.

    Union Minister Arjun Munda also took to social media to advise CM Soren to focus on how to deal with pandemic and not play petty politics that can demean his stature as Chief Minister of the state.

  • Bhupesh Baghel gave the answer to the opposition – If the center allows, we will not have to sell paddy outside.

    Bhupesh Baghel said in the House that some opposition members are raising the question why the state government is selling surplus paddy? I want to say that you allow us to deposit 60 lakh metric tons in the central pool, we will not have to sell paddy or rice outside. He said that we procure paddy for the central government. There was a time when there was a shortage of food grains in the country, then there was a Green Revolution on the call of Indira Gandhi. Our farmers accepted that challenge. The country became self-supporting and today when it is overpriced, you are not able to make arrangements. He said that our government has increased the tendu leaf collection rate from Rs. 2 thousand 500 to Rs. 4 thousand per standard bag, as well as raising the number of 7 minor forest produce being purchased on support price to 52. Along with this, we are also doing value addition of minor forest produce. We have also resolved the cases of Forest Charter which were not resolved earlier. Chhattisgarh is the first in the country to distribute forest rights papers of forest land to the forest dwellers. We have given 9 lakh 3 thousand 520 acres in 4 lakh 33 thousand individual cases and 37 lakh 870 acres in 41 thousand 16 community cases, thus totaling 46 lakh 4 thousand 399 acres of forest land.

  • UP Assembly Budget session: Opposition boycotts Governor’s address

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: Opposition parties raised slogans and staged a walkout during the Governor’s address in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on the first day of the Budget session on Thursday, opposing the Centre’s three agriculture laws.

    Governor Anandiben Patel reached the assembly five minutes late, prompting the Leader of Opposition Ram Gobind Chaudhary to allege that she did not want to address the House due to the “atrocities” committed against the women in the state.

    “Seeing the atrocities committed against the women in the state, the Governor did not want to read her address. The Chief Minister and the Speaker convinced her. Then after seven-eight minutes, she completed her quorum,” Chaudhary told reporters outside the assembly without substantiating his claim.

    Chaudhary, who is the Samajwadi Party MLA, said his party first opposed the Governor’s address when it began about five minutes late than the scheduled time and later boycotted it.

    Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said the Opposition’s behaviour during the Governor’s address was “irresponsible”.

    “The Governor’s address is a reflection of the government’s policies. The manner in which the Opposition parties behaved in the house during the address is irresponsible and condemnable,” Khanna said.

    Chaudhary demanded the resignation of the government, alleging “jungle raj” in the state.

    “There is no law and order, inflation is at an all-time high, atrocities against women are continuing and there is jungle raj. Even the Supreme Court and the high court have said there is nothing in the name of law and order in the state,” he alleged.

    Chaudhary also asked why media persons were not allowed to enter the assembly, citing COVID-19 protocol.

    “Why is the press seen so far from the Assembly? Is the COVID-19 only for journalists? Does it not infect MLAs, MLCs, CM, Speaker and Leader of Opposition? We condemn this.”

    He said the Governor’s address did not mention the deaths of farmers who have died during the course of the peasants’ agitation on Delhi’s borders.

    “We raised the slogan Governor Go Back. This is because over 200 farmers have died during the protest, and tributes should have been paid to them, which was not in your (Governor’s) address. Our party opposed it for five minutes and then we left the House,” Chaudhary told reporters.

    BSP leader Lalji Verma said he has seen it for the first time that the governor arrived late for the assembly address.

    Another party MLA Vinay Shankar Tiwari said people have lost faith in the government.

    “No one is talking about the issues affecting the farmer as well as on MSP. The law and order in the state is poor,” he said.

    Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Aradhana Misra said, “The government should have expressed sympathy towards more than 200 farmers who have died during the protest. Most of the farmers who died are from UP.”

    “We opposed the three black farm laws. If the Governor’s address can start after five minutes (than the scheduled time), it shows the seriousness of the government on issues pertaining to the state,” she said.

    Misra also demanded a judicial inquiry into the Unnao incident, where two Dalit girls were found dead in a field. 

  • Government ready to discuss farmers issues inside and outside Parliament, says Union minister Tomar

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday asserted in Lok Sabha that it was ready to discuss issues related to farmers both inside and outside Parliament amid vociferous protests by the Opposition which forced the House to adjourn twice, first for almost an hour and then for nearly two hours.

    Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said during Zero Hour, which began at 5 pm, that the Modi government is always committed to discuss the farmer’s issues.

    “Government is ready to discuss issues related to farmers inside and outside Parliament,” he said amid sloganeering by opposition members.

    Tomar’s reply came after Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed that 170 farmers have died during the ongoing agitation against the three contentious farm laws.

    “Atrocities are being committed on farmers. Situation is similar to British rule,” he alleged.

    As opposition members, including from Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress, SP and BSP, trooped near the well, Speaker Om Birla appealed to them to go back to their seats so that House can taken up normal business.

    “This House is for debate and discussions. Please go back to your seats,” he said.

    However, the unrelenting opposition continued their protests, leading to the Speaking announcing the second adjournment till 7 pm.

    Earlier, as soon as the House met at 4 pm, opposition members disrupted the Question Hour to press for repeal of the three “black” laws and raised slogans.

    Members from the Shiv Sena were seen raising slogans from the aisles.

    Former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal was also seen holding a poster demanding repeal of the contentious agriculture legislations.

    The Speaker urged the members to return to their seats and follow the COVID-19 protocol.

    He said in the ongoing Question Hour, questions related to farmers were listed and members can raise their issues at that time.

    He also said during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, members can raise these issues.

    But opposition members refused to relent forcing him to adjourn the proceedings around 4.10 pm.

    Several farmers unions have been staging protests at various border points of Delhi demanding repeal of the farm laws.

  • Sharad Pawar meets Left leaders to corner Centre during Budget session

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Opposition leaders on Monday discussed the farmers’ agitation and are expected to meet to devise a joint strategy to corner the government on the issue during the upcoming Budget session of Parliament.

    NCP president Sharad Pawar met CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI general secretary D Raja at his residence in the national capital. The meeting comes a day before the SC is to give an order on a case related to the three farm laws and indicated that it may stay the implementation of the contentious Acts, refusing to grant more time to the Centre to explore the possibility of an amicable solution.

    The leaders discussed the order and that they stand by farmers’ demand for the repeal of the laws. Ahead of its countrywide agitation on January 15 in support of agitating farmers, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi also reached out to the Opposition leaders and is likely to reach out to other like-minded parties to plan out a joint strategy to press the demand for the rollback of the legislations. The leaders are expected to meet ahead of the Budget session, starting January-end.

    On Saturday, the Congress had announced that it has decided to organise ‘Kisan Adhikar Divas’ across the country on January 15 and hold protests outside the Raj Bhavans.

    “Now, the Supreme Court has said that the Centre failed to protect the interests of the farmers, let us hope good sense prevails with the government. The government should repeal the laws and the PM should speak to the farmers and offer his apologies,” said Congress general secretary, organisation, KC Venugopal.