Govt calls special 5-day Parliament session in ‘Amrit Kaal’
![Parliament complex](https://theraisinahills.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Parliament-1.jpg)
Parliament complex
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, August 31: Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Thursday announced that a special session of parliament is being called for five days without divulging reasons for the move. Winter session of parliament is still months away, and the consensus views among parliament observers converge on the government seeking a deep discussion on Indian presidency of the G20.
“Special Session of Parliament (13th Session of 17th Lok Sabha and 261st Session of Rajya Sabha) is being called from 18th to 22nd September having 5 sittings. Amid Amrit Kaal looking forward to have fruitful discussions and debate in Parliament,” posted Joshi on X.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit is slated for September 9-10 in New Delhi. Over 200 meetings have been held across the country during the Indian G20 presidency on several subjects, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi specially mentioned in the 104th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat that the people’s participation has been overwhelming. Modi had argued that the Indian G20 presidency has been a people’s presidency.
The government may possibly move resolution over which a discussion in both the houses of parliament can take place to hail the people for successfully hosting the G20. It may be noted that the Monsoon session of parliament that concluded three weeks ago was heavy with the legislative business despite the disruptions of the proceedings of the two Houses. Former Union Minister and Congress communication department head Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said that the move to call a special session is diversionary in nature. He argued that while the top news of the day was the fresh expose on Adani Group’s alleged share deals, the Modi government is seeking to divert the attention by managing the news of the day.
In some quarters, the speculation is also being fanned that the special session of parliament is indicative of early Lok Sabha elections. However, political observers believe that such speculation should be treated as outlandish only.
With the special session likely to focus on a specific issue, the Opposition may not get the opportunity to raise other issues even while Ramesh said that the demand of the joint parliamentary committee to probe the allegations against the Adani Group would be raised.
Yet, the special session of parliament may help the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to take advantage of the good optics by riding piggyback diplomatic event.