Parliament passes 2 bills amid disruption

THE INDICATION FROM THE OPPOSITION CAMP IS THAT THE IMPASSE IS UNLIKELY TO GET RESOLVED SOON

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Monday approved two bills in the midst of Opposition protests over the Pegasus snooping controversy and farm laws, as the government got down to business after a near-complete wash-out of the first week of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.

The Opposition, meanwhile, toughened its stand. In the morning, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drove a tractor to Parliament, leading protests against the three agriculture reforms laws. In the evening, top Opposition parties such as the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party boycotted a meeting called by Rajya Sabha leader and Union minister Piyush Goyal to end the stalemate.

The indication from the opposition camp is that the impasse is unlikely to get resolved soon. Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh announced that “the entire Opposition is united” and that their two key demands are: “a discussion on Pegasus snooping issue in the presence of Prime Minister or home minister; and a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry into the scandal.”

HT reported on July 24 that the Congress would put these two demands before the government.

Trinamool Congress’s Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O’brien tweeted Jairam’s demands and said, “We need this in #Parliament. Not green tea at @Piyushgoyal office. Thanks. But no thanks.”

In the Lok Sabha, many Opposition MPS objected to the motion to pass the Factoring Regulation Act (Amendment) bill, claiming that the House is not in order. Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi backed the motion.

“Five days have gone to waste. I appeal to all of you to participate in the discussion. This is a very important bill. We are ready to discuss your issues as well,” Joshi said,