New Delhi: The Union Government has convened an all-party meeting on July 19, just a day before the official commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, to outline its comprehensive legislative agenda and facilitate dialogue with the opposition. The high-level meeting is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m., allowing all political factions to spell out the specific national issues they intend to raise on the floor of the house. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju previously announced that President Droupadi Murmu has formally approved the summoning of both houses, scheduling the legislative session to run from July 20 through August 13 for meaningful debates and critical policy decisions.
The upcoming session is widely expected to be tumultuous, unfolding against a backdrop of deep structural rifts and sudden splits within several key opposition parties. The Trinamool Congress has been plunged into severe turmoil following a poor showing in the assembly elections, with 20 of its Lok Sabha members seeking separate seating arrangements after merging with the National Citizens Party of India, while three Rajya Sabha MPs resigned their seats to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. Similarly, the Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a severe blow as six of its Lok Sabha representatives defected to the rival faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, adding to the momentum generated when seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha members crossed over to the treasury benches earlier this year.
Armed with fresh talking points, a consolidated opposition plans to fiercely corner the government on multiple fronts, prioritizing the controversial NEET-UG paper leak case and the fallout from the recent cross-border military action, Operation Sindoor. The Congress party has already moved a breach of privilege notice against Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, contesting his public remarks regarding the casualties sustained during the operation, a development that is bound to trigger heated arguments. Furthermore, the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the highly debated 130th Constitution Amendment Bill is scheduled to meet on July 17 to adopt its final report. The bill, which outlines the automatic removal of the prime minister, chief ministers, or union ministers if they remain in judicial custody for 30 consecutive days, continues to be a major flashpoint as opposition parties view the draft framework as a dangerous tool designed to destabilize non-ruling state governments.
