New Delhi, In a resolute declaration, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi unequivocally affirmed that the forthcoming five-day Special Session of Parliament, slated to commence on September 18, has meticulously adhered to all prescribed rules and regulations. Minister Joshi’s statement was issued in response to a missive from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, wherein she expressed discontent regarding the perceived lack of consultations prior to convening this eminent parliamentary gathering.
It is worth noting that this exchange transpired following Ms. Gandhi’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wherein she raised concerns about the absence of extensive consultations preceding the announcement of the special session. Minister Joshi, in his rebuttal, firmly stated that customary consultations have never been the precedent for summoning a Parliamentary session.
Drawing attention to the Constitution, Minister Joshi aptly pointed out that it stipulates only that the interval between two sessions must not exceed six months. He further lamented the politicization of parliamentary proceedings, remarking that it is “deeply unfortunate” that such a matter is being subject to unwarranted controversy.
Moreover, Minister Joshi took issue with Ms. Gandhi’s purported disregard for established conventions. He clarified that while political parties are not typically consulted for determining session dates, leaders are summoned after the President formally announces the session date to deliberate on the agenda and matters to be addressed during the session.
In conclusion, Minister Joshi extended an invitation for debates on every pertinent issue, emphasizing that several of the concerns raised by Ms. Gandhi had already been deliberated upon during the recent Monsoon Session of Parliament. The detailed list of agenda items, he affirmed, will be disclosed in due course, in keeping with established protocol.
This latest development unfolds against the backdrop of the impending Special Session of Parliament, scheduled to transpire from September 18 to September 22. The specific agenda for this gathering remains undisclosed at this juncture.
