Indian Opposition to corner government in Monsoon Session of Parliament

The issues of cow vigilantism, farmers' protests, Kashmir unrest, action of law enforcement agencies against some opposition leaders over alleged corruption and India's stand-off with China are likely to dominate the Monsoon Session beginning on Monday.

The Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha will be adjourned on Monday due to the death of sitting members of both the Houses and normal proceedings are expected from Tuesday. 

The session is slated to conclude on August 11.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad made it clear that the Congress and other opposition parties will target the government over the issues of Kashmir as well as the stand-off with China.

Targetting the government on the Kashmir issue, he said the government has "closed all doors for dialogue" on it which has led to "political suffocation" in the Valley.

He also observed that the differences with China over Kashmir has become a new focal point and the opposition parties would also seek a debate on the standoff in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan trijunction.

The Congress and several other opposition parties, including the Left, have been critical of the ruling alliance over the cases of violence by self-proclaimed cow protectors who have often attacked people.

Seeking to build a firewall for the government against the expected opposition attacks in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today made it clear that states should act tough against those violating law in the name of cow protection and insisted that the issue should not be given political and communal colour.

Economic issues, especially alleged lack of jobs, are also likely to be taken up by the opposition parties to corner the government.

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav has accused the Modi government of failing to fulfil its promises to create jobs and said the opposition parties would raise the matter in Parliament.

BJP leaders have said they would take on the opposition over these issues claiming that the government's track record has been better than the UPA in terms of economy and agriculture growth.

"The government would want the monsoon session of Parliament to be fruitful and constructive. We will also ensure good coordination and communication with the opposition to help get legislative business passed during the session.

"If the opposition demands a discussion on some current issues, we will discuss the same in the business advisory committee and the chairman will decide the time and date of discussion," Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told PTI.

If parties like Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and Lalu Prasad- led RJD attack the government over the action of law enforcement agencies like the CBI and the ED against their leaders over alleged corruption, the treasury benches too would use the issue to underline their anti-corruption credentials.

The issue could also see a division in the opposition ranks as the Left and the JD(U) are unlikely to rush to defend the TMC and the RJD respectively on the matter of corruption.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said 21 bills were pending in the Lok Sabha and 42 in the Rajya Sabha.

Nine of these legislations, including The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017, have been passed by the Lok Sabha and are listed for passage by the Rajya Sabha.

Other crucial legislations include the labour code bill, the extension of GST in Jammu and Kashmir bill, the banking resolution bill and 'The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017.

Source: Timesofoman