Sonia likely to meet non-bj states’ CMS, Oppn leaders
The meeting aims at consolidating the unity displayed by the parties versus the Centre in Parliament
Congress president Sonia Gandhi is likely to meet the chief ministers of all non BJP ruled states and opposition leaders on August 20, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. The meeting is aimed at consolidating the unity displayed by the parties versus the government in Parliament.
Maharashtra’s ruling Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has convened a virtual meeting of Opposition leaders and chief ministers of non-bjp ruled states on August 20. “Maharashtra chief minister (Uddhav Thackeray) too will participate in it,” he said.
The chief ministers of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin and Jharkhand chief minister Hemant
Soren have been invited for the virtual meet next week, the people quoted above said. The online interaction will likely set the stage for another lunch or dinner meet the Congress is planning in Delhi.
There was, however, no immediate confirmation from Congress or other Opposition parties about Gandhi’s virtual meeting.
Raut said the Opposition is united and will continue building its strength. “Unity among the Opposition (parties) is strong. All parties met at (Congress leader) Kapil Sibal’s home recently. Sonia Gandhi ji has convened a meeting of all prominent opposition leaders including chief ministers,” said Raut.
Over 15 opposition parties put up a united front in Parliament in the monsoon session, which barely functioned because of disruptions and protests over issues like the Pegasus snooping scandal, the rising fuel prices and the farmers’ agitation over three central laws.
Earlier on Thursday, the leaders of 11 opposition parties accused the government of deliberately derailing Parliament and alleged that opposition
MPS including women mem were manhandled by outsi who were not part of Parlia security.
In a joint statement, opp tion leaders condemned “authoritarian attitude” “undemocratic actions” of government and said what happened in the Rajya Sabh Wednesday was shocking an insult to the dignity of the H and humiliation of the mem
“The Opposition strongly demns the authoritarian atti and undemocratic actions o Government. We remain c mitted to continue our stru against the assault on Pa mentary democracy and ag the issues of national im tance and people’s concern, joint statement said.
The leaders who signed joint statement include Lead Opposition, Rajya Sabha, M karjun Kharge, Sharad Paw NCP, T R Baalu of DMK, A Ranjan Chowdhury and An Sharma of Congress Ramg Yadav of SP, Sanjay Raut o Tiruchi Siva of DMK, Manoj of RJD, Elamaram Karee CPI(M), ET Mohd. Bashee IUML, Binoy Viswam of CPI Premachandran of RSP Thomas Chazhikadan of Ke Congress (M).