'Don't know speciality of this Special Session': Gaurav Gogoi after INDIA Bloc floor leaders' meet

Sep 06, 2023

New Delhi [India], September 6 : Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday questioned the motive behind the Central government calling a special session of Parliament saying that the country does not know the speciality of this 'Special Session'.
"...Why has this special session of Parliament been called? There has been no explanation from the Centre yet. After 12-13 days a Special Session is being held in the Parliament and the country does not know the speciality of this Special Session," Gaurav Gogoi said speaking to reporters after attending the INDIA alliance's meeting at the residence of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. 
Speaking about their demand from the government, Gogoi said, "Our demand is that the BJP should show some transparency and should tell the people of the country about the agenda of this special session" 
Expressing optimism about the unity of opposition partners in the INDIA alliance, the Congress MP said, "BJP is scared seeing the unity of the INDIA alliance. Noticing our unity, people have a new hope for us."
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari who was also in the INDIA Bloc Floor Leaders meeting demanded the agenda of the Special Session of the Parliament. 
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tiwari said, "...Have you ever seen such a government that does not have a dialogue with the opposition and calls for a week-long special session of the Parliament? 
"I want to know the topic of this special session. Why have they called this session? Is it agenda-less? Where will we sit? It is our right to know the agenda," he added. 
The Congress MP also said that all the opposition parties will come up with a common agenda ahead of the Special Session which will be put forward to the people.
"All the opposition parties will put forth our agenda before you," Tiwari said. 
Speaking on the 'India versus Bharat' controversy which has triggered a political storm in the country, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Tiruchi Siva said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is scared because the opposition bloc has named their alliance INDIA. 
"After we named our alliance INDIA, BJP is scared. Now they have dropped the name. Soon, after the elections, they will drop their power and leave India to us to rule the country," Tiruchi Siva said speaking to reporters after the INDIA bloc's Floor leaders meeting. 
Speaking about the INDIA bloc Floor leaders meeting, DMK MP TR Baalu said, "...We have discussed the matter. They are taking up each and every matter together. The letter will finally be sent to the Prime Minister." 
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 Floor Leaders of the INDIA alliance's parties meeting 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 CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi, said sources.