Opp to raise Manipur, Delhi ordinance, ED issues

The Monsoon session of Parliament is set to commence on Thursday, with the Opposition gearing up to challenge the Government on crucial matters. Dominating the session’s agenda will be the pressing issues of ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur and the contentious Delhi services ordinance.

This session marks the first Parliamentary gathering since 26 Opposition parties joined forces to form the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), aimed at countering the Modi Government’s policies.

During the all-party meeting convened by the Government on Wednesday, Opposition parties raised concerns about the Manipur violence, atrocities against Dalits and women, and alleged misuse of Central probe agencies like the ED and CBI. The Congress is planning to move an adjournment motion to discuss the situation in Manipur.

“We want to bring an adjournment motion for discussion tomorrow as the situation in Manipur is deteriorating,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asserted. He also raised concerns about India-China border tensions, floods in parts of north India, and the Balasore train accident, demanding debates on these matters as well.

Chowdhury questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the Manipur violence and urged him to address the issue in Parliament. Unemployment, rising prices, and concerns over attacks on the federal structure were among the other issues highlighted by Congress during the meeting.

The Delhi services ordinance, brought by the Centre in May, is expected to trigger a showdown between the Government and the Opposition. Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) strongly opposes the ordinance, as it undermines a Supreme Court verdict that granted the elected Government in Delhi control over service matters.

The ordinance aims to establish a National Capital Civil Service Authority, altering the transfer and disciplinary proceedings of Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. Previously, all officer transfers and postings in the Delhi Government were under the executive control of the Lieutenant Governor until the Supreme Court’s ruling on May 11.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh also attended the all-party meeting and expressed strong opposition to the ordinance, viewing it as a threat to India’s federal structure.

“The most unfortunate thing is that the bill which destroys the federal structure of India is at the top. We will strongly oppose the black ordinance,” he said.