New Delhi: The opposition parties demand a discussion on the Maha Kumbh tragedy and the UP government’s focus on VIPs. The demand was raised at an all party meeting on Thursday. However, Union minister Kiren Rijiju mentioned that the agenda of the Budget session starting from January 31 has to be decided by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).
Rijiju described the meeting led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as productive and called for cooperation from opposition parties. He emphasized that the primary focus of the Budget Session would be the customary discussions on the President’s address to Parliament and the Union Budget.
“Party leaders raised various concerns and requested discussions on certain issues. The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) will determine which matters will be addressed,” Rijiju said.
The session will begin with President Droupadi Murmu’s address to a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Union Budget will be presented on February 1.
The first part of the session will conclude on February 13, and the second part will start on March 10, with the session wrapping up on April 4.
The legislative agenda for the session includes 16 bills, such as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Immigration and Foreigners Bill.
When asked about the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the stampede at the Maha Kumbh that claimed 30 lives, Rijiju stated that the BAC would decide whether to take it up. “There are many important issues, and the Kumbh tragedy was also mentioned,” he added.
Sources indicated that Rajnath Singh noted that the Uttar Pradesh government is investigating the Maha Kumbh incident, as opposition parties like Congress and Samajwadi Party raised concerns.
Congress leader Pramod Tiwari told reporters that the opposition parties in the INDIA bloc have agreed to raise all their issues together during the session. Despite recent defeats in some key states, the INDIA bloc parties remain united in their stance.
After the all-party meeting held by the government on the eve of the session, Tiwari criticized the “politicization of the Kumbh,” pointing out that VIP movements during the event were creating hardships for ordinary pilgrims.
Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav echoed these sentiments, accusing the ruling BJP of prioritizing VIPs over the comfort of the millions of pilgrims attending the religious gathering.
Several opposition leaders also stated that issues like rising unemployment and the struggles of farmers will be highlighted during the session.
