Congress MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, on Friday alleged that the Central government may deliberately prevent Parliament from functioning smoothly during the upcoming Monsoon Session to avoid discussions on key public issues.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the session, Gogoi said the opposition was fully prepared to raise matters of national importance, including unemployment, inflation, the proposed delimitation exercise, the situation in Manipur, and concerns surrounding the health of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. He claimed that instead of facilitating meaningful debate, the government could resort to disruptions or procedural tactics to sidestep accountability.
"The government may not allow Parliament to function properly because it wants to avoid key issues affecting the people," Gogoi said. He stressed that Parliament's primary responsibility is to hold the executive accountable and ensure that issues concerning citizens are discussed openly and transparently.
The Congress leader said opposition parties within the INDIA bloc had coordinated their strategy for the Monsoon Session and would jointly demand discussions on pressing economic, social and constitutional issues. According to him, democratic debate in Parliament is essential for addressing public concerns and ensuring government accountability.
Gogoi also criticised the Centre for what he described as attempts to divert attention from important national matters. He urged the government to allow uninterrupted proceedings and ensure that ministers respond to questions raised by Members of Parliament.
The Monsoon Session, beginning July 20, is expected to witness intense debates over several contentious issues, including the proposed Delimitation Bill, economic challenges, internal security, and governance. The opposition has indicated that it will seek detailed discussions on these matters throughout the session.
The Central government, meanwhile, has maintained that it is committed to a productive Parliament and has appealed to all political parties to cooperate in ensuring smooth proceedings. It has also stated that it is prepared to discuss issues in accordance with parliamentary rules while pursuing its legislative agenda.
With both the ruling alliance and the opposition outlining their priorities, the Monsoon Session is expected to be one of the most closely watched parliamentary sittings of the year, with several politically significant debates likely to dominate the agenda.
