The Opposition as well as BJP allies on Sunday rained demands on the government ahead of the budget session of Parliament, signalling a continuation of the confrontation witnessed in the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha last month.
At an all-party meeting, key NDA allies JDU and LJP sought a special status/ special package for Bihar. The YSRCP and the BJD made similar demands for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, respectively. The RJD joined the chorus demanding special concessions for Bihar.
BJD Rajya Sabha leader Sasmit Patra said the special category status had been a “longstanding demand” of Odisha. “We are not part of the INDIA bloc but the BJD will play the role of an active Opposition,” Patra said.
The TDP, the second-largest NDA constituent, has already sought a “special package”, stressing that Andhra needs “financial handholding” by the Centre.
The first session of Parliament after the formation of the new government had witnessed an intense confrontation between the Treasury and Opposition benches.
The Opposition’s aggressiveness was unmistakable at Sunday’s meeting, chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh. It not only reiterated the demand for the deputy Speaker’s post but also pressured the government to roll back the Agnipath scheme and discuss the paper leaks in the NEET-UG and the NET.
The Opposition parties also brought up the “deliberate polarisation attempts” in states such as Uttar Pradesh through orders mandating eateries to display the names of their owners.
The BJP's allies too questioned the directives from the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments asking food vendors along the Kanwar Yatra route to display the names of the owners.
"These steps have been taken for the first time in view of the Kanwar Yatra. It needs amendment. The Uttar Pradesh government needs to take it back," NCP leader Praful Patel said after the all-party meeting. Other heartland allies like the JDU, LJP and the RLD have already slammed the order, terming it "divisive".
"The Uttar Pradesh government has tried to close the businesses of Dalits, tribals and Muslims by making it mandatory for shopkeepers to put up nameplates," AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said, stressing the issue would be raised in the House.
In a post on X, Congress communications-in-charge Jairam Ramesh listed a series of issues the party had raised and sought discussions on during the all-party meeting.
"1. Governance issues relating to NEET/NET scams, UPSC controversies, worsening railway safety, Agniveer; 2. Internal Security situation in Jammu and Manipur; 3. Challenges on our borders with China; 4. Environmental concerns arising out of floods and natural disasters, deforestation and pollution; 5. Issues relating to Centre-state relations and the economy; 6. Deliberate attempts at polarisation in states like UP by passing unconstitutional orders," Ramesh wrote.
Opposition leaders present at the meeting said the government found itself in "listening mode" as demands rained from all sides.
The Opposition aims to keep the momentum going, putting the government's ability to run Parliament smoothly to test during the three-week session.
