Parliament Session: Govt. Rejects Opposition’s ‘Ultimatum’

NEWpm-meeting-pti-650_650x400_71437388282 DELHI: One day before Parliament begins its 21-day Monsoon Session, the PM met with leaders of all parties; the opposition has unanimously asked for a “high-level probe” against four top BJP leaders who are beleaguered by scandals.
“The government is ready to discuss all issues,” the PM said, seeking the cooperation of opposition parties in ensuring the new parliament session is able to handle important business.
A united opposition has demanded an investigation against Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje for extending favours to tainted cricket tycoon Lalit Modi, who lives in the UK.
The opposition has asked for discussions in the parliament session on “all scams and charges” involving BJP leaders. The Congress has said it will disrupt parliament unless the ministers resign.
“There is no question of accepting an ultimatum from anybody; nobody can dictate (terms) to Parliament,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu
The list includes Education Minister Smriti Irani, who has been accused of misstating details of her college degree, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, whose government is engulfed with a scandal over bribes in exchange for state jobs.
The BJP’s top leaders including the PM met last night to finalize their strategy; party bosses decided they will counter the opposition aggressively
At the meeting today, the PM said the new land bill that changes how farmland should be acquired for development must “move forward.”
That is unlikely in this session.  A parliamentary committee studying the controversial proposal has asked for more time to submit its report.
Sources say the PM is likely to use a fourth consecutive executive order or ordinance to enact the new rules. But to become permanent, they must be cleared by parliament. Opposition parties are unlikely to allow that; they describe  the new rules as “anti-farmer”.The government does not want a stand-off with the opposition over the land bill to delay other important pending reforms like the national Goods and Services Tax or GST.
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