All party meeting called by Govt hours before Special Parliament Session; Opposition questions timing and “what’s the agenda”

The Union Government will convene an all-party meeting on Monday evening, just hours before the opening of a five-day ‘Special Session’ of the Parliament starting from September 18 to 24. The agenda for this special session was not disclosed by the government. Monday's all-party meeting has sparked wild speculation, including reports that the administration could propose changing the country's official name from ‘India’ to ‘Bharat.’

Taking to X, Mr Joshi tweeted, "Ahead of the Parliament session from the 18th of this month, an all-party floor leaders meeting has been convened on the 17th at 4.30 PM. The invitation for the same has been sent to concerned leaders through email. Letter to follow."

Ahead of the parliament session from the 18th of this month, an all-party floor leaders meeting has been convened on the 17th at 4.30 PM. The invitation for the same has been sent to concerned leaders through email.
Letter to follow

ಇದೇ ಸೆಪ್ಟೆಂಬರ್ 18 ರಿಂದ ಆರಂಭವಾಗಲಿರುವ ವಿಶೇಷ…

— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) September 13, 2023

Opposition leaders have harshly criticized the government's announcement of the special session, and now the meeting that has been called on Monday. "Before calling the special session the government should have consulted the leaders of the opposition in both houses. Nobody knows what is the agenda for the special session. What are the issues that will be discussed?" questioned CPI Leader D Raja.

"None of us have any idea of its agenda; all that has been communicated to us is that all five days have been set aside for 'government business'.” wrote the former Congress Chief, Sonia Gandhi in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Many criticized the selection of the date since it conflicts with the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. Taking to X, Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party urged that the special session be rescheduled. “Just read about the upcoming Special Parliament Session (13th Session of 17th Lok Sabha & 261st Session of Rajya Sabha) happening from Sep 18-22. Whilst we all look forward to the meaningful discussions and dialogue, the dates coincide with the Ganpati Festival, a major festival in Maharashtra. Urging the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister to take the above into consideration. @JoshiPralhad”, she tweeted.

Just read about the upcoming Special Parliament Session (13th Session of 17th Lok Sabha & 261st Session of Rajya Sabha) happening from Sep 18-22.

Whilst we all look forward towards meaningful discussions and dialogue, the dates coincide with the Ganpati Festival, a major…

— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) August 31, 2023

Hitting back at the Union Government, TMC MP Derek O'Brien expressed his displeasure over the arbitrary nature of the special session called by the government. "TWO working days to go before the #SpecialParliamentSession begins and still not a word on the agenda. Only TWO people know! And we still call ourselves a parliamentary democracy." said the Rajya Sabha MP.

TWO working days to go before the #SpecialParliamentSession begins and still not a word on the agenda

Only TWO people know! And we still call ourselves a parliamentary democracy

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 13, 2023

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