Oppn demands early elections in J&K as first session of 17th LS commences today

TNN Bureau. Updated: 6/17/2019 11:29:12 AM Front Page

JAMMU: The early conduct of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir which is without a democratically elected government for a year now remained up in the Opposition agenda in an all-party meeting called by the government, a day before the Parliament session commences on Monday.

The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will commence from Monday during which the passage of the Union Budget and key legislations such as triple talaq will be on top of the agenda for the government while the opposition parties will focus on discussion on J&K elections and other issues including unemployment, farmers distress, drought, and press freedom.

The PDP-BJP coalition government fell on June 19 last year after the saffron party withdrew support, leading to imposition of Governor’s rule, followed by President’s rule in December, which was further extended, beginning from July 3.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress lawmakers Adhir Ranjan Choudhary, K Suresh, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and TMC leader Derek O'Brien were present at the meeting held on the eve of the first session.

"We congratulated the government. But with that we also told them that this is a fight of ideologies, it was a fight of ideologies and it will remain a fight of ideologies," Azad told reporters after the meeting.
According to him, the Congress told the government that there is no need of president's rule in Jammu and Kashmir.

On one hand the government says the environment is not conducive for polls and that is why president's rule has been imposed, and on the other hand the centre says panchayat elections were carried out peacefully last year, Azad said.

"Lok Sabha elections were also held in Jammu and Kashmir recently and even they were conducted peacefully. So, when panchayat and parliamentary polls can be conducted, why not state polls," he asked.

"We told the government that you are not conducting the polls there because the BJP government will not be formed. That is why you want to rule the state through governor's rule," the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said.

The Union Cabinet last week approved extension of President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir for six more months beginning July 3.

An official statement said based on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir as stated in the report of the governor, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the prime minister has approved the extension of President's rule in the state for a further period of six months with effect from July 3, 2019, under article 356(4) of the Constitution of India.

"Even when out of power, we will continue to work for the upliftment of farmers, labourers and women. We also said that there are some issues that the government should pay attention to such as those of the farmers, drought, lack of drinking water, and massive unemployment in the country," Azad said.
The government needs to immediately pay attention to unemployment that has increased in the last five years, he asserted.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged floor leaders of different political parties in the Parliament to keep political differences aside and not disrupt the functioning of the two Houses.

Modi urged all political parties to work cohesively with the government for the smooth functioning of the House. Modi also urged all the MPs to introspect whether they were able to fulfil people's aspirations as their representatives.

"We are for the people... We cannot win hearts by disrupting the functioning of the Parliament. All parties must keep political differences aside and commit themselves to tirelessly work in the direction of nation's progress."

The Prime Minister said the government was always receptive to the issues raised by the political parties and was ready to discuss all matters of national importance on the floor of both the Houses.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that there was consensus across party lines to ensure smooth functioning of the Parliament without disruptions and deadlocks.

Noting that the country would celebrate the 75th anniversary of its Independence in 2022 and the 150 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year, Joshi said the Prime Minister urged all parliamentarians to think about the sacrifices they can make for the nation keeping in mind the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters.

Joshi said Modi had invited Presidents of all political parties with representation in Parliament on June 19 and MPs from both the Houses on June 20 to freely interact and exchange views with the government.

"The Prime Minister would like to discuss all the important issues, including one nation, one election, Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary and creating good atmosphere in the Parliament... This novel initiative would go a long way in building team spirit among all the parliamentarians which in turn would ensure smooth functioning of the Parliament in future," Joshi said.

In the Budget session, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha would have 30 and 27 sittings, respectively, between June 17 and July 26.

Giving details, Joshi said the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will commence on June 17 while the 249th session of the Rajya Sabha will begin on June 20.

The coming session will mainly be devoted to oath taking, election of the Speaker, motion of thanks on the President's address and financial issues related to the Union Budget for 2019-20.

The first two days of the session will be used for administering oath of office to all Lok Sabha MPs by Protem Speaker Virender Kumar.

The speaker will be elected on June 19 and the next day the president will address a joint sitting of both Houses.

Time will also be provided for the transaction of essential legislative and non-legislative businesses.
The resolution seeking extension of Article 356 in Jammu and Kashmir also needs to be approved by both the Houses by July 2.

The Economic Survey of India will be presented in Parliament on July 4 and the Union Budget for 2019-20 will be presented in the Lok Sabha at 11 a.m. on July 5.

Ten ordinances have been promulgated during the inter-session period which are to be replaced by Acts of Parliament as they shall cease to operate at the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament by August 1.


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