Ask sharpest questions but allow govt to answer, says PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Monday said the Opposition should “ask the sharpest and toughest of questions” during the monsoon session of Parliament but should allow the government to respond to them in a peaceful manner. Modi said he wants meaningful discussions in Parliament over the Covid-19 pandemic which has gripped the entire world.
“I urge all MPs and political parties to ask the toughest and sharpest of questions but they should also allow the government to respond in a cordial environment as democracy is strengthened by conveying the truth to the people,” Modi said, adding that this increases the trust of the people and improves the pace of development.
Hoping that the session is productive and dedicated to meaningful discussions, Modi said the government is fully prepared to give the answers that the people of the country want.
The Prime Minister’s appeal comes at a time when the Opposition is raring to corner the ruling dispensation over a host of issues, including handling of the second wave of Covid-19, rise in fuel prices, farmers’ stir and the issue of an international media consortium report which has claimed that over 300 verified mobile phone numbers, including those of two serving ministers, could have been targeted for hacking through Israeli spyware.
The Prime Minister said he has requested all the floor leaders to take some time out on Tuesday evening when he would like to give detailed information regarding the pandemic. “I urge all floor leaders to find time at 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday) so that I can give details about the pandemic situation that can be discussed in Parliament too,” he said. “I am constantly meeting the chief ministers and all kinds of discussions are happening in different forums. So I also want to meet the floor leaders as the House is going on and it will be convenient and we can talk about it (the pandemic) face-toface,” he added.
Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the opposition, said on Sunday that they have proposed to discuss various issues like inflation, poverty and the Covid-19 crisis in the House in the presence of M Venkaiah Naidu. Kharge added that Naidu, the Vice President and chairman of the Rajya Sabha, gave his nod to the opportunity to discuss the issues.
The session will conclude on August 13.