Parliament Monsoon Session: Centre strategises amidst impasse over Manipur
Government anticipates opposition's unyielding demand for PM Modi's speech on Manipur in parliament
Parliament Monsoon Session: The ongoing logjam in parliament over the Manipur issue is expected to set the backdrop for the government's legislative push. Government sources acknowledge that the opposition is unlikely to withdraw its demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak in parliament about Manipur. However, the government remains firm in its refusal, suspecting that the opposition's demand is influenced by electoral considerations.
In response, the government plans to prioritise its legislative agenda and proceed with passing bills even amid the uproar in parliament. Prime Minister Modi chaired a parliamentary meeting of the BJP to strategise on the matter.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had stated in the Lok Sabha that the government is prepared for a discussion on Manipur. However, the government maintains that only the Home Minister will address the Manipur situation.
Efforts to resolve the impasse through discussions have already taken place. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to key opposition leaders over the phone. Yet, with the opposition resolute in their stance, several meetings have occurred within the government.
Senior ministers have met with PM Modi to devise the current approach. The government has set an ambitious legislative schedule for the monsoon session, with 31 bills to be taken up, including a bill intended to replace the Ordinance that grants the Center the power to control bureaucrats posted in Delhi.
The opposition is determined to obstruct any legislative business until a discussion on Manipur takes place, and they insist that PM Modi addresses the issue in parliament.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor emphasised the gravity of the Manipur crisis, pointing out the loss of lives, violence, and displacement occurring in the region. He stressed the need for PM Modi's attention to the matter.
Government sources reveal a shift in approach, as they plan to limit their response in parliament solely to the Manipur issue, avoiding any mention of violence in opposition-ruled states, which some BJP leaders had previously cited. According to sources, the situation in Manipur is now under control, and there have been no fatalities due to violence in the past 15 days.