The Narendra Modi government fanned the flames of speculations of early elections by announcing a special session of the Parliament on Thursday.
According to media reports, this convention may pave passage for passing bills for ‘One Nation, One Election’, Uniform Civil Code and women’s reservation, Restoration of Statehood for Jammu & Kashmir, and Insurance Amendment Bill, among others.
Notably, no agenda has been declared for this Special Session.
The present prime minister would enjoy his title till the end of May next year.
“Special Session of Parliament (13th Session of 17th Lok Sabha and 261st Session of Rajya Sabha) is being called from September 18-22 having 5 sittings,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi announced on micro-blogging site X ( formerly Twitter). The Monsoon session concluded on August 11.
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.
ಸಂಸತ್ತಿನ ವಿಶೇಷ ಅಧಿವೇಶನವನ್ನು… pic.twitter.com/k5J2PA1wv2
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) August 31, 2023
“Amid Amrit Kaal, looking forward to having fruitful discussions and debate in Parliament,” added Joshi.
The announcement has not gotten well with opposition, with most questioning the intention behind choosing the dates. The special session coincided with the third meeting of the opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A, besides clashing the dates with the festival of Ganesh Chathurthi. Shiv Sena UBT’s Priyanka Chaturvedi and Nationalist Congress Party’s Supriya Sule have asked for a new date, considering festivity in Maharashtra.
Just read about the upcoming Special Parliament Session (13th Session of 17th Lok Sabha & 261st Session of Rajya Sabha) happening from Sep 18-22.
Whilst we all look forward towards meaningful discussions and dialogue, the dates coincide with the Ganpati Festival, a major…
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) August 31, 2023
Coincidently, the announcement for the special session juxtaposed the opposition alliance meeting in Mumbai and the publication of another explosive report against an Indian business tycoon, famously known to have close ties with the PM.
Possibility Turning into Plausibility of Early Elections:
On Monday, The All India Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee spoke on her apprehension of early elections. She said, “I am apprehensive that they (BJP) could hold the Lok Sabha elections in December or in January next year.”
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar later on Tuesday echoed TMC’s Mamta Banerjee’s claims and expressed concerns over the Bharatiya Janata Party conducting Lok Sabha elections in December this year. He emphasized the need for the Opposition parties to stand united.
Many political pundits speculate rising inflation, strengthening opposition, and slim chances in Chhattisgarh and Madya Pradesh as the main reasons behind calling for this convention. Bharatiya Janata Party might want to club State polls with the Lok Sabha election.
Another influencing factor will be Ram Mandir, the inauguration of which will be in January. It can be a whole new ball game for the opposition.
Congress Coruscating Attack on Modi, Calls Him News Manager:
The Congress party spokesperson, Jairam Ramesh, made a scathing attack on PM Modi and stamped this session as news cycle management, Modi style.
Managing the News Cycle, Modi style.
1. News today has been dominated by latest revelations on the Modani-scam.
2. Tomorrow the ever-growing INDIA parties meet in Mumbai.
How to counter?
Announce a 5-day special session of Parliament when Monsoon session has just ended 3…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 31, 2023
“Managing the News Cycle, Modi style.
1. News today has been dominated by the latest revelations on the Modani scam.
2. Tomorrow the ever-growing INDIA parties meet in Mumbai.
How to counter? Announce a 5-day special session of Parliament when the Monsoon session has just ended 3 weeks back. Regardless, the JPC demand will continue to resonate inside and outside Parliament,” Mr Ramesh said.