Opposition Coordination Strengthens in Parliament Despite Lack of Formal Meetings
Informal Gatherings Drive Opposition Strategy
NEW DELHI: The opposition parties are strengthening their coordination in Parliament, even though the INDIA bloc has not been holding formal meetings. Instead, leaders are engaging in informal discussions in the lobby before the House opens at 11 AM to plan their strategy against the BJP-led government.
Unified Protest Against Rahul Gandhi’s Restrictions
On Thursday, opposition leaders met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to submit a joint protest petition. Their grievance centered on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi being restricted from speaking in the House. Similarly, in Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar disallowed discussions on issues that opposition parties wanted to raise.
As a result, opposition floor leaders agreed that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge would represent their collective concerns in the House.
Key Issues Raised in Parliament
Among the critical issues highlighted was the attack on Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman’s house by Karni Sena members. Additionally, TMC MPs attempted to raise concerns about the EPIC scam (fraudulent voter ID cards), an issue they have been pressing for weeks.
Kharge planned to address both issues, but the chair did not permit a discussion on the Karni Sena attack. In response, MPs from SP, Congress, TMC, CPI, CPI-M, RJD, and other opposition parties staged a walkout. However, BJD and YSRCP MPs remained in their seats. After 15 minutes, the opposition members rejoined the proceedings, having made their protest known.
Shift in INDIA Bloc’s Strategy
Initially, after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, INDIA bloc meetings took place in Kharge’s chamber. However, these meetings ended when parties like TMC and SP distanced themselves, emphasizing that INDIA is a coalition of equals, not a Congress-led alliance.
During the last winter session, no meetings occurred due to Congress losing the Maharashtra and Haryana state elections. As a result, regional parties gained confidence in acting independently. However, this budget session marks a return to a more unified opposition approach, signaling a shift in strategy on the parliamentary floor.
Conclusion
Despite the lack of formal INDIA bloc meetings, opposition coordination in Parliament remains strong. Informal discussions before sessions allow leaders to plan their strategies effectively, ensuring they present a united front against the ruling government.
