congress Archives - Page 7 of 29 - Lokmarg

Lok Sabha Passes Women Reservation Bill; BJP Calls It Historic

By LokMarg 20th September 2023

Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Women’s Reservation Bill which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was passed after a reply by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The Bill was passed following division with 454 members voting in favour of the legislation and two against it on the motion for the passage moved by Meghwal. The amendments moved by opposition members were negatived and there was also voting on clauses of the bill.

Speaker Om Birla announced that the Bill had been passed.

The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ is the first bill passed by Lok Sabha after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday.

The bill was passed by a majority of the total membership of the House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the House “present and voting”

The division was carried out through the distribution of slips.

Meghwal said “history” was being made with the passage of the bill.

Rejecting the opposition’s criticism about the delay in the implementation of provisions of the Bill, Meghwal said that the bill ensures transparency. The bill was passed after a day-long debate which was initiated by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

Intervening in the debate, Home Minister Amit Shah also rejected the opposition’s contention and said the bill will follow due procedure and seats which are to be reserved will be decided by the Delimitation Commission.

Several opposition members including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that caste census and delimitation are not required for implementing the Women’s Reservation Bill and it should come into force soon after it is passed by Parliament.

“There is one thing in my view that makes this bill incomplete. I would like to have seen the OBC reservation included in this bill,” Gandhi said.

“Delimitation and census is not required, the bill should be immediately implemented,” the Congress leader added.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 is expected to be taken up by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2010 during the Congress-led UPA government but it was not taken up in the Lok Sabha and subsequently lapsed in the lower House of Parliament.

The government introduced the new bill on Tuesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the government’s intention to bring ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’.

Sources said the division was carried out through slips as information regarding division numbers in the New House is awaited from some parties in the Lok Sabha.

The Special Session of Parliament began on Monday and will continue till Friday. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Cong Sounds Poll Bugle In Telangana With Massive Rally

By LokMarg 17th September 2023

Sounding the poll bugle in Telangana with a mammoth rally, the Congress party announced six guarantees for the people of the state after the two-day Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Hyderabad.

General Secretary KC Venugopal said, “The Congress has announced 6 Guarantees to transform Telangana into a prosperous state so as to address the needs of the poor, backward and ensure that marginalised are uplifted and live a life of dignity.”

The Telangana Assembly election is slated to be held this year.

The Congress MP Rahul Gandhi listed out six guarantees by the party once it comes to power in the state including houses for all homeless, Rs 4,000 old age pension, Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for all women, gas cylinders for Rs 500, free bus travel for women and Rs ten lakh health insurance, besides several other things.

The first Guarantee “Indiramma Indlu” promises House site + Rs. 5 lakh and 250 sq yards plot for Telangana movement fighters

“We have promised to provide a house plot and Rs 5 lakh for the construction of a house for the homeless through the Indirimma Indlu scheme. 250-square-foot house for those who fought for the Telangana movement. Whenever we come to power you will get a house over your head,” Rahul Gandhi said.

The second Guarantee is “Mahalakshmi” Rs 2500 monthly allowance to all women,Gas cylinder at Rs. 500 and Free travel in all TSRTC buses across the state.

“Every month women will get Rs 2500. Narendra Modi has given you Rs 1000 gas cylinder, we will give you Rs 500 cylinder,” he said speaking on the Mahalaxmi scheme. “Karnataka buses are free for Karnataka women…Telangana women will also get this benefit once the Congress party comes to power,” he added.

The third Guarantee is Gruha Jyoti – 200 units free electricity

Rahul Gandhi also promised “200 units of free electricity every month through Griha Jyoti Scheme.” Moreover, under the Yuva Vikasam scheme, he promised “five lakh assistance to youths going to colleges, and for coaching fees.”

Fourth Guarantee is for the elderly: Cheyutha – Rs. 4000 pension – Rs. 10 lakh Rajiv Arogyasri insurance

The Congress MP also promised Rs 4000 monthly pension for the elderly and Rs 10 lakh health insurance under the Rajiv ArogyaShri scheme.’

Fifth Guarantee is Rythu Bharosa: Rs 15,000 annually to all farmers and tenant farmers alongwith Rs. 12,000 for agri labour and Rs. 500 bonus for paddy crops

Moreover, under Rythu Bharosa, Rahul Gandhi promised “Rs 15,000 for every acre to our farmer and Rs 12000 for every agricultural labourer.”

The sixth Guarantee is for youth i.e. Yuva Vikasam – Vidya Bharosa card worth Rs. 5 lakh for students – Telangana International Schools in every mandal

Assuring people that these guarantees will be fulfilled in the first meeting of the cabinet once Congress forms the government in the state, he asked them that they can crosscheck and verify in neighbouring Karnataka where they had promised similar guarantees and which have already been fulfilled.

The party leaders also lashed out at the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for his secret understanding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and indulging in rampant corruption and benefitting his own family.

Leading the charge, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said that while the Congress delivered the promise of a separate Telangana state, KCR brought it to the brink of bankruptcy with over Rs 3.60 lakh crore debt, while the state was earlier financially surplus.

He alleged that Prime Minister Modi and the Chief Minister KCR had joined hands together.

He reminded people that it was Sonia Gandhi who had promised them a separate Telangana state and fulfilled her promise, but everything was squandered away and looted by KCR in the last ten years.

Meanwhile, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi announced the Mahalakshmi scheme for empowering the women of Telangana. She said, that under the Mahalakshmi scheme Rs 2,500 per month, financial assistance will be given to every woman in the state. Besides, she added, gas cylinders will be provided at Rs 500 and women will get free travel facilities in TSRTC buses across the state.

Reminding people about the creation of a separate state of Telangana, she said, “I along with my colleagues have the opportunity to be a part of the birth of this great state, Telangana. Now it is our duty to elevate it to new heights.”

“It has been my dream to see the Congress government in Telangana that will work for all sections of society. Are you all going to give us your support?” she asked the public.

Earlier today, the two-day Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Hyderabad concluded, with party leaders expressing optimism about receiving a “clear mandate” in the upcoming assembly elections in five states.

Congress chief of all poll-bound States has given presentations during the meeting about their strategy and preparations, sources said.

Calling the upcoming polls a “do-or-die fight”, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that the party is determined to remove the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“This two-day meeting has put up a clear-cut agenda. It is a do-or-die fight for Congressmen. In 2024 we have to remove this (BJP) government. Therefore this is a call from the CWC to the workers of the party throughout the country. Now without taking a rest, we have to fight to win,” Venugopal said after concluding the two-day Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting.

He further asserted that Congress is going to form the government in all five states.

“As far as assembly elections are concerned, we are very confident that we are going to form the government in all five states.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader Sachin Pilot who attended the meeting said that we have discussed and made strategies on how to defeat the BJP and other parties.

“This meeting was held for elections…Despite getting a complete majority, the BJP government has failed… We have discussed and made strategies on how to defeat the BJP and other parties. The Congress will win the upcoming elections in all five states,” Pilot said.

After the CWC meeting, Congress leader Ambika Soni said, “That (discussion on INDIA alliance) was not on the agenda but to fight the election, everybody gave their opinion”

Moreover, Karnataka Deputy CM and Congress leader DK Shivakumar called the meeting fruitful.

“Very very fruitful (meeting). It will change the face of Telangana, it will change the face of India…we have assured the country that Congress will come back,” Shivakumar said.

Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana will go to polls later this year. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Congress Fighting Against BJP-BRS-AIMIM, Says Rahul Gandhi

By LokMarg 17th September 2023

Asserting that though the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) call themselves different parties, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that they work together in unison in Telangana but the Congress party is fighting against BJP-BRS-AIMIM combine.

“In Telangana, the Congress party is not fighting against BRS but with BRS, BJP and AIMIM combined. They call themselves different parties but they are working together unitedly,” Rahul Gandhi said speaking at Vijayabheri Sabha at Telangana’s Tukkuguda.

“I have watched the BRS with my own eyes in Parliament. Whenever BJP needed them the BRS supported them. They supported Narendra Modi while passing the Farmers’ Bill. When it came to the election for the President, Vice President they supported Narendra Modi. They supported GST,” Rahul Gandhi listed out the instances the BRS supported the BJP in Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi also alleged that the three parties chose to disturb the Congress party’s Vijayabheri Sabha by holding public meetings on the same day.

“We decided to hold a public meeting today, all three chose to hold public meetings today so that they can disturb our meeting. But Telangana supported the Congress, so they were not able to disturb us. They will call each other up in the evening and will figure something out to oppose the Congress party,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi also claimed that there are no cases against Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao or AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi since Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers them his “own people”.

“There are cases against every Opposition leader by the central agencies, whether it is the ED or the CBI. But there is no case against the Telangana Chief Minister KCR nor the AIMIM chief. They just fight against the opposition. Narendra Modi does not fight against their own people. They think your Chief Minister and AIMIM to be their own. So there is no case against them. They have broken all records of corruption but there is no case by the ED, CBI,” he said.

The Congress MP also listed out six guarantees by the party once it comes to power in the state.

“We have promised to provide a house plot and 5 lakh rupees for the construction of a house to the homeless through the Indirimma Illu scheme. 250-square-foot house for those who fought for the Telangana movement. Whenever we come to power you will get a house over your head,” Rahul Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi also promised “200 units of free electricity every month through Griha Jyoti Scheme.” Moreover under the Yuva Vikasam scheme he promised “five lakh assistance to youths going to colleges, and for coaching fees.”

The Congress MP also promised Rs 4000 monthly pension for the elderly and Rs 10 lakh health insurance under Rajiv ArogyaShri scheme.

Moreover, under Rythu Bharosa, Rahul Gandhi promised “Rs 15,000 for every acre to our farmer and Rs 12000 for every agricultural labourer.”

Drawing a reference from the success of their guarantees in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi said, “In Karnataka elections, Narendra Modi said in his speech that the Congress party won’t be able to fulfill its guarantees. We gave five guarantees to Karnataka. We implemented them the day our Cabinet was sworn in. The day the Congress party will form the government here, that very day you will receive your guarantees.”

Speaking about the scams undertaken by the BRS government through their schemes, Rahul Gandhi said, “They (BRS) stole Rs 1 lakh crore in the Kaleshwaram project, they took away your land in the Dharinin portal scam,…big landowners were benefitted from the Rythu Bandhi scheme…,they leaked your public service paper. We want to give you back what they have looted.”

Telangana will go to polls by the end of this year. The state is expected to see a three-pronged contest against the Congress, BJP and BRS. The results of the assembly elections is expected to set the tone for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Sonia Promises Six Guarantees To Telangana Ahead of Polls

By LokMarg 17th September 2023

Ahead of the Telangana Assembly election that is slated to be held this year, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Sunday announced “six guarantees” adding that it’s her dream to see the Congress government in the state.

“To fulfil the aspiration of the people of Telangana, we (Congress) are announcing six guarantees Mahalakshmi been the first one. We are committed to fulfilling each one of them,” Sonia said at a public rally at Vijayabheri Sabha in Tukkuguda.

Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana will go to polls later this year.

She further said that 2,500 per month financial assistance will be given to women in Telangana under the Mahalakshmi scheme.

“Rs 2,500 per month financial assistance will be given to women in Telangana under the Mahalakshmi scheme, gas cylinders at Rs 500, and free travel for women in TSRC buses across the state,” she added.

While concluding her speech, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson further said that I along with my colleagues had the opportunity to be part of the birth of this great state Telangana. Now it is our duty to take it to a new height.

“It has been my dream to see the Congress government in Telangana that will work for all sections of society. Are you all going to give us your support?” she asked the public.

Congress chief of all poll-bound States has given presentations during the meeting about their strategy and preparations, sources said. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Pass Women Quota Bill During Special Parl Session: Cong

By LokMarg 17th September 2023

A day ahead of the week-long special session of Parliament, the Congress party has yet again raised their demand for a greater reservation for women in legislative roles.

In a post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Congress Working Committee demands that the Women’s Reservation Bill must be passed during the special session of Parliament.

Praising the previous Congress governments, Jairam Ramesh said former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi first introduced Constitution Amendment Bills for one-third reservation in panchayats and nagarpalikas in May 1989 — which passed in Lok Sabha but failed in Rajya Sabha.

“Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao reintroduced Constitution Amendment Bills for one-third reservation for women in panchayats and nagarpalikas in April 1993. Both Bills passed and became law. Now there are more than 15 lakh elected women representatives in panchayats and nagarpalikas,” he said.

Former PM Manmohan Singh brought the Constitution Amendment Bill for one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures. The Bill was passed on March 9, 2010 in the Rajya Sabha but was not taken up in Lok Sabha.

“Bills introduced/ passed in Rajya Sabha do not lapse. Women’s Reservation Bill is still very much active. The Congress party has for the past nine years been demanding that the Women’s Reservation Bill already passed by the Rajya Sabha should now get passed by the Lok Sabha as well,” Jairma Ramesh wrote on X.

As per the Parliamentary Bulletin, released on Wednesday, a discussion on “Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings” will be held in Parliament on the first day of the five-sitting long special session starting tomorrow.

Also, four bills including a Bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are part of the legislative business of the government for the session.

The other bills to be taken up include ‘The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ and ‘The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023’, which were already passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3, 2023.

‘The Post Office Bill, 2023’ has also been listed in the Lok Sabha business. The bill was earlier introduced in Rajya Sabha on August 10, 2023 and it repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

‘One Nation One Election An Assault On Constitution,’ Says Chidambaram

By LokMarg 16th September 2023

Congress has rejected the suggestion of ‘one nation, one election’, saying that it is an “assault on the constitution and attack on federalism”.

Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad coinciding with a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), party leader P Chidambaram said BJP is seeking to divert attention from the pressing issues and create “a false narrative”.

“One nation, one election is an assault on the Constitution. We reject it. It is an attack on federalism. It will require at least five Constitutional amendments. The BJP knows that it does not have the numbers to pass these constitutional amendments. Yet if it (BJP) puts forward this mirage of One Nation, One Election, it is only to divert attention from the pressing issues and to create a false narrative,” Chidambaram said.

The Centre earlier this month constituted a High-Level Committee to examine the issue of ‘one nation, one election’ and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections in the country.

The committee is chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind and includes Home Minister Amit Shah, former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Finance Commission Chairman NK Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary General Subhash C Kashyap, Senior Advocate Harish Salve and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari.

Adhir Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was also named a member of the High-Level Committee, declined to serve on the panel, saying its “terms of reference have been prepared in a manner to guarantee its conclusions”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has several times pitched the idea of One Nation, One Election.

Chidambaram said the Congress Working Committee is deliberating on a draft resolution.

“The deliberations are still underway…We are discussing the situation in the country. Broadly, it can be divided into the political situation, the economic crisis that the country faces and the security threats both internal and external that are a great challenge to the country,” the Congress leader said.

Party leader Jairam Ramesh, who also addressed the press conference, said that CWC will discuss preparations for assembly polls in five states on Sunday. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Congress Working Committee To Meet In Hyderabad On Saturday

By LokMarg 15th September 2023

The newly constituted Congress Working Committee (CWC) will hold its first meeting in poll-bound Telangana’s Hyderabad on Saturday.

Congress President Mallikharjun Kharge will be chairing the highest decision-making body of the party to discuss the party strategy for the upcoming assembly election in the five states.

Senior leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and CWC members will attend the CWC meeting.

Informing about the details of the CWC meeting at a press conference, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said, “Tomorrow we will hold the first CWC (Congress Working Committee meeting) in Hyderabad in which the preparations for the upcoming elections will be discussed. We have invited 90 people, out of which 84 people will attend.”

“Congress president will preside over the CWC meeting. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will be there. Our 4 chief ministers will also attend the meeting,” he said.

Exuding confidence that the meeting is going to be a game changer in Telangana politics, KC Venugopal said,” We will discuss the upcoming elections of the 5 states. We will surely form government in five states including Telangana. The meeting is going to be a game changer in Telangana politics. We will launch six guarantees to the people of Telangana and we will fulfil them within a month after coming to power.”

He further informed that the extended CWC meeting will also be held. Moreover, a public rally will be organised on September 17.

“We invited 159 people and 149 people will attend the extended CWC meeting on September 17. We will organise a ‘Vijayaberi public meeting ‘ on the same day. On September 18, our leaders apart from MPs will go to all Assembly constituencies,” he said.

After the rally on the same evening, the Congress president will flag off the cavalcades of CWC members, PCC presidents, CLP leaders and others to 119 Assembly constituencies of Telangana.

KC Venugopal said that the BJP is the principal enemy of the grand old party in politics and KCR’s party Bharat Rashtra Samithi is supporting anti-democratic laws in the Parliament.

“Certainly, we had past experience. Our fight is with PM Narendra Modi. Our principal enemy in politics is the BJP and their ideology. They (KCR’s party BRS) support anti-democratic laws in the Parliament, Venugopal said during a press conference in Rangareddy.

The state is set to witness a triangular contest among the BJP, the ruling BRS and the Congress. The Telangana election will serve as a litmus test for the BJP-led NDA and the INDIA alliance before the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram will also go to polls later this year. (ANI)

Read More: https://lokmarg.com/

Arvinder Singh Lovely Takes Charge As Delhi’s Cong Chief

By LokMarg 14th September 2023

Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely took charge as Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president on Thursday and said that every Congress worker is to strengthen the organisation.

“The priority of every Congress worker is to strengthen the organisation…This is the first step in strengthening the organisation where after five years for the first time Congress leadership and the workers were together on the stage…I have become a president to deliver to my leadership and workers. Congress has a more capable leadership than any other party,” said Lovely.

DPCC president Arvinder Singh Lovely had earlier said that his priority was to strengthen the party in the city-state and said, “I see a bright future for the Congress in Delhi.”

While speaking to ANI, he further stated that people are looking towards Rahul Gandhi, and added that the people of Delhi and the country are missing Congress.

“It is true that the performance of Congress has not been good in the last few years, but seeing the atmosphere in Delhi and the country today, people are looking towards Rahul Gandhi. The people of Delhi are facing a ‘double maar’. The people of Delhi and the country are missing Congress. We will strengthen our organisation and continue to raise people’s issues. I see a bright future for the Congress in Delhi. The decision (on an alliance with AAP in Delhi) will be taken by the party high command.”

Arvinder Singh Lovely took over from Anil Chaudhry. He was earlier in charge of the state unit in 2013 and had jumped ship to the BJP in 2017 only to return to the Congress in 2018. In 2013 he was one of the 8 MLAs that extended support to the first AAP government formed by Arvind Kejriwal. Lovely has also served as a minister in all three governments of late Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit and held significant portfolios such as transport, education, revenue, and urban development, among others. (ANI)

Priyanka Slams Centre’s Decision To Reduce Tariff On American Apples

By LokMarg 12th September 2023

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday slammed the Centre over its decision to reduce customs duty on apples imported from the US, saying it will make import of American apples easier and the move has come at a time when apple growers were facing problems.

Priyanka Gandhi, who is visiting rain and flood-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh, said there has been a massive loss.

The Congress leader told ANI that the farmers in the state were suffering due to decisions of industrialists concerning procurement and the central government’s move on tariff reduction on apples coming from US will affect them adversely.

“…This will make the import (of American apples) easy and they will be sold easily. Prices of procurement of apples in Shimla have been brought down by big industrialists. When the apple growers are suffering here, who should be helped? They, or the farmers in the US?” she asked.

The Congress leader said local farmers should be helped and they should get proper price for their produce.

She was answering a query about Centre’s decision of 20 per cent reduction in customs duty on apples imported from the US.

In June, the US and India agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization. Also, India agreed to reduce tariffs on certain US products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents, a United States Trade Representative statement said on Friday.

An additional 20 per cent duty was imposed on US apples in 2019 in response to US’ measure to increase tariffs on certain steel and aluminium products. There is no reduction on Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duty on apples which is still applicable on all imported apples including on the US at 50 per cent.

Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, including former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, have also slammed the Centre’s move to reduce tariff on apples imported from the United States.

Speaking about the impact of rain-induced floods in Himachal Pradesh, Priyanka Gandhi urged the Central government to declare the situation in the hilly state a national disaster.

She told ANI that the state government is doing what it can and the calamity should not be politicised.

“The situation is very painful. There has been a massive loss…People are suffering…We have been requesting that if the Central Government declares it a national disaster, it will be beneficial to them (locals). The state government is doing everything it can…But some things can be done only with the help of the Central Government. I’m sure they will help… I don’t think anyone wants to politicise such a calamity…,” she said. (ANI)

Spl Parl Session To Start In Old Building, Move On To New One

By LokMarg 6th September 2023

The special session of Parliament will start in the old building on September 18 and will be later moved to the new building on September 19 on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, sources said.

The Centre has called for a special session of Parliament for five days between September 18 and 22.

Meanwhile, 24 parties of the INDIA bloc have agreed to participate in the special session of the Parliament scheduled to begin on September 18. Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi will be writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of these 24 parties, sources said.

This decision was taken at a meeting of INDIA bloc floor leaders.

The meeting of floor leaders of the INDIA bloc parties was held at the residence of Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Monday evening.

Issues that will be raised by the opposition parties in the Special Session of the Parliament were also finalised in the meeting. These issues will be given in writing to the government through the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, said sources.

Earlier last week, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi informed about the five-day special session of Parliament from September 18-22.

The agenda for the special session, has however not been revealed yet.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded last month, was held in the old Parliament building. The announcement of the special session came as a surprise in political circles with the parties gearing up for assembly polls in five states later this year. (ANI)