14 Opposition parties blame government for logjam

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 4

Nine days for the monsoon session to end, the Opposition on Wednesday asked the government to allow debates on Pegasus snooping and farm laws. Blaming the government for 13 days of parliamentary impasse, leaders of 14 Opposition parties today said the responsibility for the deadlock lay squarely with the government. The leaders accused the government of arrogance and obduracy in refusing to accept the Opposition’s demand for an informed debate in both Houses.

“The Opposition again urges the government to respect parliamentary democracy and accept the discussions. We are united on our demand for a discussion on the Pegasus issue in both Houses, replied to by the Home Minister, as this has national security dimensions. We have also unequivocally conveyed that the discussion on the farmers’ issues and agitations arising from the three anti-farmer agri laws should follow the discussion on Pegasus.

“It is unfortunate that the government has unleashed a misleading campaign to malign the combined Opposition and blame it for the continued disruption in Parliament,” said the Opposition’s joint letter signed by leaders of 14 like-minded parties.

The signatories included Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge, TMC’s Derek O’ Brien, NCP’s Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, RJD’s Manoj Jha, CPM’s Elamaram Kareem, AAP’s Sushil Gupta, IUML’s Mohammad Bashir, NC’s Hasnain Masoodi, CPI’s Binoy Viswam, RSP’s NK Premachandran and LJD’s Shreyams Kumar.

The government, meanwhile, pushed five Bills amid the din today. The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill 2021 and The Coconut Development Board Amendment Bill 2021 were passed in the Lok Sabha, and three Bills in the Rajya Sabha.

Attacking the government for passing Bills without a debate and within minutes, Congress chief whip in the RS Jairam Ramesh said the Opposition was united despite the government’s efforts to break the unity.

TMC leader Derek O’ Brien also questioned law and order situation in the Capital, demanding Amit Shah’s reply on the murder of a minor on Sunday.

Parliament’s monsoon session has remained dysfunctional since the start on July 19 with 13 of the 19 sittings wasted. The Opposition has been seeking a debate on the Pegasus row under rules that entail voting.

Seek reply from Shah

• A letter by 14 Opposition parties stated “we are united on our demand for a discussion on Pegasus” and a reply from the Home Minister “as this has national security dimensions”
• They also demanded repeal of three “black agricultural laws” with a discussion on farmers’ concerns

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.