Speaking to media after the meeting, Mr Rijiju urged all political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament and engage in constructive discussions on key issues. He stressed that meaningful debate, rather than disruptions, is essential for strengthening democracy.
Earlier, just after the meeting began, opposition parties staged a symbolic walkout from the meeting over the participation of Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI). The NCPI is a registered party that has participated in state assembly elections, and recently, several rebel Trinamool Congress MPs have joined it. Talking to media, TMC MP Mahua Moitra said that the entire opposition parties including Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, JMM, Trinamool Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party have walked out from the meeting. She also alleged that NCPI is not a recognized parliamentary party.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari described the walkout as a symbolic boycott against the NCPI being invited to the meeting.
However, after registering their protest, the opposition members are attending the meeting.
On symbolic walkout by opposition parties, Mr Rijiju said, it should not be viewed as a boycott of the entire day's proceedings, it was symbolic. He said, government discusses matters with all political parties and it cannot deprive any party of their rights.
NCPI leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay slammed opposition parties for their protest during all party meeting. He said, in NDA, now NCPI is second largest party.
During the session, several important legislation are scheduled to be taken up for discussion and passage. With this meeting, the government will seek cooperation from all political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament in the upcoming Monsoon session of the parliament.
