Congress leader Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi, raises concerns over ‘agenda-less’ special parliament session

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointing out that no agenda has been listed for the special Parliament session and raising nine issues including violence in Manipur for discussionThe issues listed by Gandhi included Centrestate relations rise in cases of communal tension and border transgressions by ChinaI must point out that this special session has been convened without any consultation with other political parties None of us have any idea of its agenda All we have been communicated is that all five days have been allocated for government business Gandhi said in her letterI earnestly hope that in a spirit of constructive cooperation these issues will be taken up in the forthcoming special session she saidShe further said that the session is being held without any consultation with other political parties and none of them have any idea on the agenda for the sessionldquoAll we have been communicated is that all five days have been allocated for Government Business We most certainly want to participate in the Special Session because it will give us an opportunity to raise matters of public concern and importancerdquo Sonia Gandhi saidThe Congress leader further urged for a discussion on several issues during the special session including the need for the caste census Manipur communal clashes and inflationsldquoI earnestly hope that time will be allocated under the appropriate Rules for a discussion and debate on these issues These arecurrent economic situation with a focus on increasing price rise of essential commodities growing unemployment rise in inequalities and distress of MSMEs commitment made by the Government of India to farmers and farmer organizations in regard to MSP and other demands raised by them demand for a JPC Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate the transactions of the Adani business group in light of all revelationsrdquo she saidAlso read Sanatan Dharma row Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wants INDIA alliance to apologiseSonia also demanded a discussion over the rift between several states and the CentreldquoDebate on the continued agony faced by people of Manipur and breakdown of Constitutional machinery and social harmony in the state urgent need for a caste census damages being inflicted on CentreState relations and the impact of natural disasters caused by extreme floods in some States and drought in others should be heldrdquo the former Congress chief saidThe Congress leader further demanded that a discussion on the rise in communal tension in different states like Haryana and the continued ldquooccupation of Indian Territory by Chinardquo should take placeShe further said that in a spirit of constructive cooperation these issues should be taken up in the forthcoming special sessionEarlier addressing the media at the AICC headquarters Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said this is the first time that no agenda has been discussed or listed in the business of the HouseWe want that the upcoming session is constructive and this was decided at the meeting of the strategy group and during the meeting of INDIA parties Ramesh saidIf there is no shehnai of democracy in the mother of democracy then what kind of democracy is this Ramesh askedHe said the rules under which the discussion can take place can be discussed mutuallyRamesh also alleged that the prime minister is in panic and tiredThe special session of Parliament will be held from September 18 to 22 With inputs from agencies