New Delhi: The Centre on Sunday appealed to all political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, even as an all-party meeting convened ahead of the session witnessed a walkout by several opposition leaders over the issue of invitations extended to rebel MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Briefing the media after the meeting, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Parliament is a common platform for both the ruling and opposition parties, and called upon all members to engage in meaningful discussions on issues affecting the nation.
Rijiju said the government would be placing several important bills and legislative proposals before both Houses during the session. He expressed hope that members across party lines would participate responsibly and make the session productive through debate rather than disruption.
He emphasised that Parliament offers elected representatives the opportunity to raise public concerns and present differing viewpoints. According to the minister, the government welcomes strong discussions and healthy criticism, provided they take place within the framework of parliamentary procedures.
However, the all-party meeting ended on a contentious note after opposition leaders staged a walkout. Explaining the decision, senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said opposition parties protested against the Speaker’s decision to invite rebel legislators from the Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) to the meeting, describing the move as unacceptable.
Despite the disagreement, Rijiju reiterated the government’s willingness to listen to opposition concerns during the session. He urged political parties to avoid repeated disruptions, saying previous parliamentary sessions had suffered because of frequent adjournments and disorder.
The minister argued that interruptions not only consume valuable parliamentary time but also place an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers. He maintained that disagreements should be addressed through discussion, debate and democratic engagement rather than protests inside the House.
Calling for cooperation from all sides, Rijiju said the government remains committed to facilitating constructive deliberations on legislative business and expects similar cooperation from the opposition to ensure Parliament functions effectively throughout the Monsoon Session.
