Fiery showdown on cards

New Delhi: The Union government on Sunday indicated its willingness to discuss in Parliament Operation Sindoor, a key Opposition demand at an all-party meeting on eve of the monsoon session, even as the INDIA bloc insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should respond on the matter as well as on the US President’s ‘ceasefire’ claims and SIR in Bihar.

Sources said the Prime Minister is unlikely to respond in Parliament on these issues. However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that the government will reply appropriately whenever a discussion takes place on Trump’s ceasefire claims on the India-Pakistan conflict.

After the customary all-party meeting ahead of the session beginning on Monday, Rijiju said the government has sought the Opposition’s cooperation in the smooth running of Parliament during the month-long session. There should be government-Opposition coordination in running Parliament smoothly, Rijiju told reporters after the meeting chaired by Union Minister J P Nadda. He said they heard the Opposition and ruling NDA alliance members patiently and hoped the upcoming session would be very productive. As many as 54 leaders of different parties and Independent MPs participated in Sunday’s all-party meeting. “We are very open to a discussion on important issues like Operation Sindoor. These are issues of great national importance. The government is not shying away and will never shy away, but is open to discussions within rules, conventions,” Rijiju asserted.

Noting that the government accords importance to ‘niyam’ (rules) and ‘parampara’ (conventions), he said the matters raised at the meeting would be taken up at the Business Advisory Committee of both houses, where a final decision would be taken. “We have noted all the points. We have requested all parties (to ensure) the Parliament functions properly. Have to ensure coordination. It is the responsibility of all to help Parliament function,” he said.

Rijiju also said that the government has noted the demand for allocation of more time to parties with fewer MPs to speak in Parliament.” “We will try and provide adequate time to all, including smaller parties,” he said.

On the Opposition’s demand for PM Modi to make a statement on the Pahalgam attack and other issues, Rijiju said, “I want to make it clear that the Prime Minister remains in Parliament except during foreign travel. Whenever Parliament functions, Cabinet ministers are present to respond to issues concerning their departments.”

Rijiju said the government is bringing 17 key bills, details of which would be provided soon. Topping the government’s list is the Income-Tax Bill, 2025, which was introduced during the Budget Session on February 13. The Bill represents a major overhaul of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, aiming to simplify its language and structure.

Sources said even the BJP’s allies want that there should be a discussion on Operation Sindoor to highlight the achievements of the government after delegations visited different nations.

After the meeting, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi told reporters that his party sought PM Modi’s statement on Trump’s claims, “lapses” which led to the Pahalgam attack and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of poll rolls in Bihar. He said it was incumbent and moral responsibility of PM Modi to give a statement in Parliament on key issues raised by his party. “We hope that the PM will fulfil his moral duty,” he said.