Lucknow : In A first-of-its-kind development, the Uttar Pradesh government is considering holding a joint meeting of both Houses of the state legislature, comprising more than 500 members, besides a meeting of the state Cabinet at the Maha Kumbh venue in Prayagraj.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is learnt to have expressed a desire for the same and the officials concerned have been tasked with looking into the possibility and logistics for this.
More than the cabinet meeting, which took place during the 2019 Kumbh as well, the bigger task before the authorities is to make the arrangements for the meeting of the two Houses since the state has 403 members of the Assembly and 100 of the Legislative Council.
Sources said the government is aiming to create a record of sorts by holding such a joint meeting, which is likely to be addressed by President Droupadi Murmu along with state Governor Anandi Ben Patel. “Officials have been directed to look into the logistics as the members participating in the meeting will also take a bath in the holy waters at the Sangam. Since both Houses of the Legislature have more than 500 members, aspects such as their security and accommodation etc will have to be taken care of,” said a senior government official. As soon as logistics are looked into, the state government is likely to invite President Murmu to address the joint meeting in Prayagraj, he added. The dates for the same are being finalised between two of three shahi snanas i.e. from January 14 (Makar Sankranti) and January 29 (Mauni Amawasya) for a smooth crowd management as over 5 crore pilgrims are expected on the shahi snan days.
“While the final call is yet to be taken on the dates, it is likely to be in the third week of January,” the official claimed.
Meanwhile, the holding of a joint meeting of both the Houses of the state legislature is likely to put the Opposition parties in a tough spot like it did during the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya last year.
While all members of the state Assembly were invited for a visit to the Ram Temple after the consecration by the government, the Samajwadi Party (SP) had decided to boycott the programme. Some Opposition MLAs, including those from the Congress had, however, decided to be part of the programme, calling it their personal decision.
If at all the joint meeting of both Houses is held at the Maha Kumbh site, the Opposition parties will have to take a call on whether they will join the rest of the legislators or not.
In the 403-member state Assembly, the BJPhas 257 legislators, the Samajwadi Party 107, NDA allies Apna Dal 13, Rashtriya Lok Dal 9, SBSP 6 and the NISHAD party 5. Also, the Jansatta Dal Lok Tantrik has two members and the BSP one.
