Opposition Parties Set Stage for Confrontation Ahead of Parliament Budget Session

As the Parliament's Budget session approaches, opposition parties have outlined contentious issues they want to discuss, including Uttar Pradesh's Kanwar Yatra route order and NEET exam paper leaks. The government has shown a willingness to discuss these topics, emphasizing the need for cooperation to run Parliament smoothly.

On the eve of the Parliament's Budget session, opposition parties have sharpened their stance, demanding discussions on several controversial issues, including the Uttar Pradesh government's directive to eateries on the Kanwar Yatra route and exam paper leaks, notably the NEET.

The government, in a bid to reach out politically, invited smaller parties for the all-party meeting, expressing readiness to discuss all issues in line with the rules. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called for collective responsibility and cooperation from all parties to ensure Parliament runs smoothly.

Special category status was a key demand raised by representatives from JD(U), BJD, and YSR Congress for Bihar, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, respectively. Various opposition members, including Congress, demanded the position of Lok Sabha deputy speaker for the opposition, and discussed issues ranging from Jammu and Kashmir terror attacks to unemployment and price rise.

(With inputs from agencies.)