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Jairam Ramesh said PM Modi and Amit Shah stayed away from parliamentary proceedings, appearing only on the last day before adjournment.
New Delhi
The Congress on Thursday accused the Modi government of being “scared and rattled” during the Monsoon Session, alleging that BJP leaders avoided parliamentary proceedings while opposition unity remained strong.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were largely absent from Parliament and appeared only shortly before the House was adjourned sine die. He alleged that the government was avoiding questions raised by the Opposition on several issues.
Ramesh said the Opposition had several achievements during the session. He claimed that the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ legislation was delayed, while the report of the joint committee examining the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill was also not presented. He also cited the delay in another constitutional amendment concerning the removal of leaders after prolonged detention.
He said the referral of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act Bill to a joint committee was another achievement, although the Opposition wanted the legislation withdrawn. Ramesh also claimed that an amendment related to delimitation could not be introduced because the government lacked the required two-thirds majority.
Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi alleged that important issues, including examination irregularities and alleged corruption, were not allowed adequate discussion. He also criticised the passage of some Bills without debate and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on alleged action against students, and an apology from the Prime Minister. The Congress said the session highlighted the Opposition’s unity.
