All-Party Meeting Held Ahead Of Parliament's Budget Session: Here's What Opposition Demanded

An all-party meeting was held today (21 July), ahead of the Budget Session of the Parliament, set to commence tomorrow. 44 parties including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took part in the meeting.

"55 leaders including ministers attended the meeting," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said adding that the meeting was chaired by BJP's leader in Rajya Sabha J P Nadda.

"We have taken suggestions of floor leaders of all parties. To run the Parliament smoothly, it is the responsibility of both - those in the government and those in opposition," he said.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh posted on his X handle, about various demands made during the meeting including the constitution of the 24 Department-Related Standing Committees and giving them their due importance.

"Central Hall should once again be opened up for MPs to mingle with each other and improve communications across the parties. The historic Central Hall has sadly fallen into disuse after the opening of the new building of Parliament," he said.

Ramesh added that demands for special category status were raised by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for Odisha, Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] for Bihar and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) for Andhra Pradesh.

"Strangely, the TDP (Telugu Desam Party) leader kept quiet on the matter," the Congress leader expressed over no demand made by Chandrababu Naidu's party for special category status for Telangana.

The Congress has reportedly demanded the Deputy Speaker Post in Lok Sabha. The Samajwadi Party (SP) raised the issue of the Uttar Pradesh government's order to display shop names on the Kanwar Yatra route.