The government, through the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, has called for an all-party meeting on July 21 as a precursor to the Budget Session of Parliament. This meeting aims to bring together the floor leaders of different political parties represented in Parliament to discuss and understand the key issues that each party wishes to address during the upcoming session, which begins on July 22 and extends over 19 sittings until August 12. Noteworthy is the anticipated attendance of Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, marking his first appearance in such a meeting.
Nevertheless, reports indicate that representatives from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) are unlikely to participate in the meeting scheduled for July 21, as they have opted to observe Martyrs Day on this date. The observance of Martyrs Day by TMC is in remembrance of 13 Congress supporters who tragically lost their lives in 1993 during a Kolkata Police shooting incident that took place amid a march towards the state secretariat, Writers Buildings, under the governance of the CPI(M)-led Left Front in West Bengal. This decision showcases the significance and sensitivity of historical events in shaping political engagements.
Looking ahead to the legislative agenda, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is slated to present the Union Budget on the opening day of the session, July 22, and will also introduce the Economic Survey to Parliament during this time. Expectations are high for the government to introduce six bills, one of which aims to replace the long-standing Aircraft Act and secure Parliamentary approval for the budget of Jammu and Kashmir, currently under central rule. In a separate development, former Odisha chief minister and BJP leader Naveen Patnaik has instructed his party MPs to advocate for the special category status for Odisha, emphasizing regional concerns amidst the broader national discourse.