Parliament session Day 7 updates: Highlights on July 2, 2024

Rajya Sabha members broke out into sloganeering as Leader of House J.P. Nadda brings up Rahul Gandhi’s comments on hinduism from the previous day. 

Mr. Nadda also recalledUdhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks from September 2023 when he had said “Just like dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or coronavirus need to be eradicated, we have to eradicate Sanatana.”

Leader of House J.P. Nadda continues his speech on the Motion of Thanks to President’s address. 

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge returned to the House to respond to certain points raised by BJP MPs regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and his “mistreatment by Congress.”

Following a back and forth with Mr Kharge, Mr. Nadda has resumed his speech, where he is recalling the contributions made by BJP. 

Leader of the House, Rajya Sabha MP J.P. Nadda, recalls the several schemes implemented by the Narendra Modi-led government since 2014. He cites initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and PM Surya Ghar Yojana as public welfare success stories.

Opposition members cornered the government in the Rajya Sabha over the recent examination paper leaks, saying it is hurting the future of the youths and the morale of students who have toiled hard.

Taking a dig, Raghav Chadha of AAP said that there are two IPLs played in the country - one is the Indian Premier League for cricket and the second is Indian Paper Leak - and the exam organising agency NTA stands for ‘No Trust Anymore’ Speaking on the issue during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, some members demanded a fair probe under the supervision of the Supreme Court and questioned the government’s “silence”.

Congress leader Digvijay Singh raised the issue of alleged irregularities and corruption in the examination process and said the opposition has no faith in the CBI investigation ordered by the central government.

SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav also alleged “rampant corruption” in states ruled by the BJP. People who are not eligible are taking benefits from schemes such as Antyodaya Anna Yojana for food.

The Har Ghar Nal Yojana on piped water is far from the target, he claimed.

-PTI

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Health J.P. Nadda praises the current economic situation of the country. He cites data from international organisations to compare India’s economic growth post-COVID, calling it the only “bright spot in the world economy.”

Mr. Nadda says that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, the country will go on to become the third-largest economy. 

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, BJP president J.P. Nadda praises the President’s address, calling it a reflection of the government’s intentions. 

“We should all feel lucky to be part of this momentum of Amrit Kaal,” Mr. Nadda says. “I am sure we will get the support of all parties to realise this vision of Amrit Kaal,” he adds.

He goes on to hail the country’s current image at “an international stage”, citing the recently-concluded International Yoga Day as well as the 2023 International Year of Millets. 

Mr. Nadda recalls the success of the G-20 summit, and highlights key achievements such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

Mr. Nadda, in his speech, claims that activities such as “Taali bajao, thaali bajao, diya jalao [clapping, beating plates, and lighting lamps]” during the COVID-19 pandemic boosted the country’s confidence. 

Having passed the motion of thanks on the President’s address, Lok Sabha adjourned sine die. 

Before the adjournment, Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh condemned the members of opposition benches storming into the well of the house. He held it was violative of parliamentary conduct. 

Mr Modi elaborating the notion held that when they had come to power in 2014, his party did not possess numbers in the Upper House. However, he held, that the party stayed to its resolve of public welfare. “We will fulfil our stated resolve,” he told the house. 

Concluding his speech, Mr Modi in an indirect reference targeted the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, stating that he hoped “good sense” prevailed in him. The third-time Prime Minister further told the house that he experienced the power of truth in real on Tuesday, emphasising that truth cannot be defeated.

Expressing grief at the incident in Hathras, Prime Minister expressed grief and put forth his condolences to those who lost their lives in the Hathras stampede. He also conveyed that the injured may recover speedily. 

Mr Modi that his government was in constant touch with the state govt in Uttar Pradesh to extend all help. He also assured that the aggrieved would be extended all help. 

Stating that the elections were over, he urged members of the opposition to come together to achieving the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’. 

Mr Modi seeking that the opposition endow focus on positive diplomacy and politics, further urged that they debate with NDA at the state level about ‘good governance’ with focus on achieving people’s aspirations, delivery, foreign investment and reforms, among other things. 

Prime Minister Modi told the house that his government is committed to making India a hub for green hydrogen. He held that the future is about e-vehicle and green hydrogen. 

Mr Modi assured in the Lower House that those bothering the future of students and the youth would not be spared. He informed the house that arrests are being made across the country on the NEET paper leak. 

Prime Minister Modi further stated that imperative steps are being taken to further strengthen the examination mechanism. 

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, PM Modi alleged that the army did not even possess bulletproof jackets during the Congress rule. He also pointed to the Bofors scam and irregularities in submarine procurement during the erstwhile regime that hindered reforms in the armed forces. 

He accused the Congress of interrupting all efforts to reform the army. 

Earlier in his speech, Mr Modi told the house that CDS was an essential step towards establishing an essential theatre for armed forces. 

Prime Minister Modi, in his address, held when globally armies were being equipped with new techniques and technological reforms, it was essential that India did not lag behind. 

Opposition raises slogans of “we want justice” and “Manipur, Manipur”.

PM Modi also alleges that LoP yesterday claimed that Hindus are violent. LoP Rahul Gandhi had, however, made the comment for BJP and RSS, and not the entire Hindu community. Read more here

He said the Opposition’s request to discuss NEET was denied in both Houses of Parliament on June 28 as well as on Monday, and added that the Lok Sabha Speaker had assured the Opposition that he would discuss the matter with the government.

Read more here

Rajya Sabha NCP MP Fauzia Khan, during her speech says that accountability cannot be delegated, while listing out the recent incidents of NEET paper leak, and railway accidents. 

Like the protagonist of H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man, the ruling government must also have a similar solution, to make crucial issues in the country invisible for them, Ms. Khan says in her speech in Rajya Sabha. 

RJD MP A.D. Singh rises to speak on economic issues, including farmers income. He also goes on to highlight other issues with the Agriculture sector. 

Nominated member Sudha Murthy expresses her gratitude towards the President and the Prime Minister for nominating her. 

Ms. Murthy speaks on the issue of women’s health, specifically cervical cancer. She suggests that the government look into a possible vaccination drive. 

She also adds that the government may intervene with respect to the cost of the vaccination. 

Ms. Murthy goes on to speak on the subject of tourism, listing out certain sites that must be brought to the level of World Heritage places.

The Prime Minister draws parallels with the 1975 Bollywood movie Sholay to drive his point.

Don’t bury the mandate of the electorate under your moral victory, the PM says. Congress became a parasitic party in these polls, its allies are behind its victory in most of the 99 seats it won, PM Modi adds.

The Opposition continues to chant “Manipur, Manipur” in the background.

Samajwadi Party’s Ramji Lal Suman, and BJP’s Lahar Singh Siroya continue discussion on Motion of Thanks on President’s address.

In his maiden speech, Mr. Suman raised several issues from the Opposition side, including the ongoing controversy regarding the NEET exam.

Meanwhile, Mr. Siroya targeted his words towards the Congress party, and spoke about the 1975 Emergency. He also raised questions on the party’s alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party.

They scream when they run out of arguments, Mr. Modi says.

The Congress is trying to project that they have defeated us, he adds. 

People from more and more newer places in India are giving us love and an opportunity to serve them, Mr. Modi says.

He points out that NDA won its first constituency in Kerala in the Lok Sabha election.

The Rajya Sabha, earlier in the day, witnessed a war of words when Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar sarcastically said Jairam Ramesh should take the seat of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, in an effort to discipline the Congress MP.

Mr. Kharge, who is also the president of the Congress, retorted by saying the Chairman was trying to bring in the Varna (caste) system.

The acrimony started when Mr. Dhankhar asked Pramod Tiwari of the Congress not to state unverified facts.

Mr. Birla looks unhappy with Opposition’s continuous protests as PM Modi speaks. He says that the Opposition members were given ample time to speak in the House, but they are not doing the same while the Leader of the House speaks.

Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, was elected from Baramulla seat as an independent candidate defeating National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

Read more here

We were elected in 2014 to overcome the problems of the previous government, the prime minister says. 

“We have multiple achievements over the last ten years, but the most significant one was that the country came out of hopelessness and gained self-confidence,” says Mr. Modi.

“There are currently two different types of education system in India -- one that of Arvind Kejriwal where schools are being made, and the other is that of the paper leaks,” AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha says. 

“Future of 35 lakh students is in the dark today because of the NEET paper leak,” he says. 

“There are two IPLs going on in the country. In one, the Indian Premier League, game is played between the bat and the ball. The other is ‘Indian Paper Leak’, where they’re playing with the future of the youth,” Mr. Chadha says. 

He goes on to list out various examinations where the question papers have been leaked in the recent past. As the Chairman asks him that he’ll need to authenticate his list, he says he “will do it”. 

“The full-form of NTA has changed to ‘no trust any more’,” the AAP MP says. “How did 67 students get into the merit list in NEET 2023 exams,” he asks. 

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav says that Mr. Chadha was not right in claiming railways Group-D exam papers were leaked and asks the Chair to expunge the remark.

We will work 24*7 for 2047, the prime minister says in the Lower House.

Opposition MPs continue to chant “Manipur, Manipur” relentlessly. 

Replying to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in Lok Sabha, PM Modi praises the intellect of India’s electorate for the results of the recently-concluded general elections.

Meanwhile, Opposition MPs continue to chant “Manipur, Manipur” and “we want justice” in the House even as the Prime Minister continues his speech.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Bhagwat Karad says, “it’s after six decades that a stable government has returned to power for the third consecutive term.”

He says during the UPA rule, India’s image in the world was that of a poor country, but after the BJP came to power in 2014, Prime Minister Modi has worked to change the fate and the image of the country. 

“There has been no terrorist attacks in major cities in the last 10 years. At the same time, the economy has strengthened during the BJP rule,” he says. 

Opposition raises chants of “Manipur, Manipur” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Lower House.

As Opposition members gather in the Well of the House, Mr. Birla calls out the Leader of the Opposition for encouraging the protests. This behaviour is against the spirit of your post and the House, Mr. Birla says.

Opposition MPs demand that Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam be allowed to speak. Speaker Om Birla says he has already been given an opportunity to speak in the Lower House.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari pauses his speech to allow for chants praising the prime minister. 

“BJP’s victory on all seats of Delhi represents its faith in Narendra Modi,” Mr. Tiwari says.

“The results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 has indicated that arrogance will be defeated,” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said in the Rajya Sabha. 

“Yet, the President’s address indicates that no lessons have been learnt by the ruling party,” she said. 

“Biologically born students, farmers, everyone is suffering,” she said, adding, “you keep your arrogance and you (the BJP) will further go down below 240 seats.” 

The MP also says that the walls of the Ayodhya Railway Station, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023, are crumbling.

“Mr. Thirumavalavan, who spoke in Tamil, requested the Union government to bring in Prohibition and ensure that there are no drugs in the country, which is a noble cause. But, the party with which he is in alliance in Tamil Nadu saw more than 50 people die due to illegal liquor. He should first preach there,” Ms. Sitharaman says.

The House erupts in protest.

Read The Hindu’s latest updates on the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy here.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh said he does “not support the President’s address because of a few issues.” 

“The President thanked the Election Commission, but what should we thank them for? For not adhering to the Model Code of Conduct? For not conducting Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir? The recently held Lok Sabha elections were not fair,” Mr. Singh said. 

He alleged that the EC did not give time to non-NDA leaders to meet and raise their issues. “We wanted to discuss about certain issues, including EVMs,” he said. 

“Can we leave the mother of democracy at the mercy of EVMS? When the Resreve Bank’s of India’s servers can be hacked, how can we be sure that the EVMs cannot be hacked? Why is the EC not ready to talk about EVMs,” he asked. 

“There is no law and order in West Bengal. The Sharia law is being implemented in the State,” BJP Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathore said. 

“The officials in West Bengal act like TMC workers,” he alleged, adding, “bombs are being hurled in houses in the State.” “Law and order should return in West Bengal,” Mr. Rathore says.

“It was for the first time we saw that when Narendra Modi went to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to inform the President about forming the government, President Murmu offered ‘dahi-cheeni’ to the Prime Minister. The President is the custodian of the Constitution, but in her speech, there are lies on every page of her speech,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said in the Rajya Sabha. 

“The President said it was the third time that Narendra Modi returned to power with an absolute majority, but the BJP has formed a minority government,” Mr. Raut said. 

In his maiden speech in the Lower House of Parliament, Mr. Azad says that the reservation of backward castes should be increased based on the census figures. 

The MP also raises the issue of caste-based atrocities with students in educational institutions. 

“BJP’s calls of “sabka sath, sabka vikas” are empty promises for electoral gains because the atrocities committed against caste and religious minorities in the last ten years are not hidden from anyone, he adds.

“China is constantly threatening India and entering our borders. We need to get rid of Agniveer scheme at the earliest and start recruitment in the armed forces,” MP Azad says.

AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai said in the Rajya Sabha that it was the Congress government that had brought the NEET examination in 2010. “We are against the NEET examination,” he clarifies, but asks the Congress party to “own up to it”.

The PM exploits fear through central agencies like ED, CBI etc, and we have seen how he spreads confusion and misinformation in his speeches during election campaign, Mr. Gogoi says. “The country will reject the false claims that the BJP is trying to spread in connection with Rahul Gandhi’s speech from yesterday,” he adds.

It is social injustice that only 4% Muslims have been elected to Parliament, says Mr. Owaisi. BJP MP Mansukh Mandaviya objects, asks Chair to instruct Mr. Owaisi to authenticate his claims.

“Prime Minister Modi’s mandate is based on hatred for Muslims and support from Hindutva,” Mr. Owaisi says.

Mr. Owaisi also tells Opposition parties that this is not a moral victory for them, but instead, it is a victory of majoritarianism. “Everyone should contemplate and do introspection. Why is it that the OBCs and the upper castes are getting their due representation, and why are the Muslims not getting it? Are we here only to vote for you, and not get elected?” he says.

Mr. Owaisi also raises the issue of Israel’s war on Gaza in the Lower House. He alleges that the central government is sending unemployed youth of India to Israel, making them cannon fodder. He also questions India’s policy on the issue, and asks why is the country providing arms to Israel.

Raising the NEET paper leak issue in the Upper House, CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan on Tuesday said that the National Testing Agency (NTA) should be dissolved. Instead, universities should conduct the entrance examinations in the country, he said. 

Trinamool Congress MP Samirul Islam also raised the paper leak issue and said, “not only NEET, but such scams have taken place in other entrance examinations like UGC-NET”. 

“How will the Union government compensate those who have suffered because of these leaks,” he asked. 

Mr. Kushwaha finished a distant third when he contested Lok Sabha elections from Karakat. CPI(ML) candidate Raja Ram Singh won from the seat, while Bhojpuri singer and actor Pawan Singh came second.

Read more here

On July 2, portions of Rahul Gandhi’s speech in the Lok Sabha were expunged. Here’s what the Leader of Opposition said on expunction.

AITC MP Sagarika Ghose makes her maiden speech in Rajya Sabha. She quotes Mahatma Gandhi, who said that to create political transformation, there should be transformation of the self. It is constitutional parliamentary representative democracy that can improve the condition of humanity and give justice and opportunity for all, she says. She says that it was Nehruvian parliamentary democracy which made possible the emergence of Nehru’s rival, referring to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. She says that the nation was founded on principles of reason, which is lost if there is superstition. 

Ms. Ghose, who has been a journalist for several years, highlights the sorry state of media today, saying that one narrative has taken hold of several media houses. 

There is a democracy deficit in the nation, she says. She mentions, among other examples, that civil war in Manipur was continuing without redressal, that lynching by mobs has increased, and that there is delegitimisation of the Opposition. 

Day after portions of LoP Rahul Gandhi’s remarks were expunged from records, the Congress MP has written to Speaker Om Birla. Here is the letter.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP and the Narendra Modi-led government, Kerala Congress MP K C Venugopal said the 2024 election result is a moral victory for the INDIA bloc, while a loss for the BJP.

He further highlighted PM Modi’s “mangalsutra” remarks at Rajasthan’s Banswara rally, saying, “PM spoke to the people of Banswara but the people totally rejected him.”

P. Wilson of the DMK raises the issue of the NEET paper leak. The Tamil Nadu Legsilative Assembly has recently moved a resolution seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET exam or to scrap the NEET for admission to medical courses. Therefore we seek the Prime Minister’s immediate attention, either to approve the bill passed by the State government, or to bring about amendments to National Medical Council act so the NEET and other exams is given up on national level. He calls the NTA an “unaccountable and incompetent” authority.

BJP MP Saumitra Khan’s critical remarks on the TMC-led government in West Bengal led to massive uproar in the Lower House. Proceedings resumed only after the Chair appealed to both sides to maintain decorum of the House.

YSRCP MP Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy requests the sanctioning of a metro from the new airport to Visakhapatnam. He also says that TDP should ask the Centre about special category status for Andhra Pradesh, saying it was not a demand, but a right. 

He also requests the Centre to stop the privatising of the Vizag Steel Plant. 

Why did the BJP send only 13% women MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha, why did they fool women and the nation about the women reservation’s bill, AITC MP Md. Nadimul Haque asks. 

Why could they not learn from Trinamool Congress, which sent 38% women MPs, he questions. He also asks about various cases in which women were the victims, questioning why Bilkis Bano’s rapists were set free, and noting various incidents of sexual assault across the nation. “Shame!” he says. 

AITC MP Md. Nadimul Haque says that the President’s address was missing an important word- coalition. You cannot cover this up, the Modi-led government has been rejected, BJP was 36 short, he says. 

Exit polls was created by media to keep BJP happy, he says. He alleges that the stock markets were manipulated to make huge profits, and said that SEBI should do a thorough investigation. 

He also highlights issues in the previous Lok Sabha- there was no deputy Speaker for five years, and the Prime Minister did not reply to a single question on the floor of the House.

He also issues an open challenge to the Prime Minister to release a white paper proving that you have paid one rupee to West Bengal under MNREGA and Awas Yojna since the BJP was routed in 2021 Assembly elections in the State. This is politics of vendetta he said. 

I have said that a consecration ceremony should not be done an unfinished temple, it causes problems in society, INC MP Pramod Tiwari says. The people sitting (Opposition benches) here are true worshippers of Rama, and the people sitting there (treasury benches) are businessmen of Rama, they bargain with Rama, he says. 

There is water leaking in the garba gruha, he says. The ceremony was held on January 22, to use the name of Lord Ram improperly, he says, highlighting that they could have done the ceremony one and half to two years later. This is why Lord Ram got angry, Mr. Tiwari says, asserting that the next time the BJP will not even win this many seats. 

All Indian Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks on the role of the Election Commission of India creates ruckus.

“Modiji has given guarantee. But there is no warranty in Modiji’s guarantee,” he says as he attacks Modi government. “There is a change in the country as President said. There is an unstable government. And on the other side is a strong opposition,” Mr. Banerjee says. 

Chair requests that all members be heard with rapt attention. INC MP Pramod Tiwari from Rajsthan rises to speak. He says that the President’s speech seemed to mirror a tired, lost, reduced, a hopeless goverment.

He says that no concrete solution has been found for rising prices. Mr. Tiwari asks what happened to winning 400 seats, and asked the BJP to think about why it didn’t win them.

We are seeing the worst unemployment rates in 38 years, he highlights. He also points out the violence that is happening in Manipur. Petrol and diesel prices have increased despite the price of crude oil reducing on global markets, Mr. Tiwari says. 

As members interrupt Mr. Tiwari’s speech, Mr. Dhankhar calls for silence and terms INC leader Jairam Ramesh “incorrigible.” Later, he also says that he is doing Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s job for him. 

He lists multiple promises by the government which have not been fulfilled, including land to farmers, starting of bullet trains and catching criminals who have run away abroad with sizeable sums of money. 

The Rajya Sabha resumes its discussion on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s address. More than 40 speakers are expected to present their views in the House today. 

The first speaker is AGP’s Birendra Prasad Baishya, who asks that the floods in Assam be declared a national problem. 

The next speaker is Ashokrao Shankharrao Chavan, making his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha after twice being Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a Lok Sabha member, an MLA and an MLC. He represents the BJP, having been a Congressmen till February 12, 2024, when he resigned from the Congress. A day later, he joined the BJP. Read more about him here.

Narrative is being set that the BJP wants to change Constitution, he says. He speaks about the NEET paper leak issue, and says that it causes stress and strain to students. He asks the government to take steps to tackle the issue. 

Samajwadi MP Akhilesh Yadav attacks the NDA government over range of issues including NEET row and EVMs, says Lok 2024 poll victory is a moral win for INDIA bloc. “It feels like a lost government is in rule… And those pro-Constitution have won,” the party chief said. 

“We will not accept Agniveer scheme. We will scrap the scheme whenever INDIA bloc comes to power,” Mr. Yadav says, as he participates in a discussion on the debate on the Motion of Thanks to President’s address.

On NEET row, the SP MP claims that the NDA government leaked paper due to its reluctance to give jobs to the youth. “Why are paper leaks happening? The truth is that this is being done by the government so that it doesn’t have to give jobs to youth,” Mr. Yadav said.

Notably, the SP MP also spoke in favour of caste census. 

On portions of his Lok Sabha speech being expunged, the LoP said, “In Modi ji’s world, truth can be expunged. But in reality, the truth can’t be expunged. I said what I had to say, that is the truth. They can expunge as much as they want. Truth is truth.” Here’s the full report

- Sandeep Phukan

Rajya Sabha Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar extends birthday greetings to members of the House Beeda Mastan Rao Yadhav and Madan Rathod. Following this, papers and statements are laid on the table of the House. 

Secretary-General P.C Mody announces that the Lok Sabha adopted four motions to recommend to the Rajya Sabha in its sitting held on July 1. The motions recommend that Rajya Sabha members be nominated to associate with the committee on Public Accounts, the committee on Public Undertaking and the committee on the welfare of SCs and STs of the House, and that a committee of both Houses be constituted on welfare of OBCs. Ministers are not to be appointed to this committee, as per the specifications announced by Mr. Mody. 

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj has moved a notice in the Lok Sabha, raising objections to portions of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Parliament on July 1. 

The first order of business in the Rajya Sabha is oath and affirmation by new members of the House. 

The following members were sworn in:Haris Beeran, IUML, KeralaJose K Mani, KC(M), KeralaPP Suneer, CPI, Kerala 

Proceedings begin in the Rajya Sabha at 11 a.m., with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

After a stormy session yesterday, proceedings in the Lower House have begun as per the list of business of the day. Ministers are presently laying papers on the table of the House. 

The NDA leaders on Monday felicitated PM Modi on his historic third term at the parliamentary party meeting, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said. 

Mr. Rijiju said that Mr. Modi asked NDA MPs to follow the parliamentary rules and raise their issues effectively.

List of Business in the Lok Sabha for July 2, 2024. 

1. Papers to be laid on the table
2. J.P. Nadda, Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao to make statements on issues
3. Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address; PM Modi’s reply likely today

List of Business in the Rajya Sabha for July 2, 2024. 

1. Birthday greetings
2. Papers to be laid on the table
3. Statement by Ministers- J.P. Nadda and Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao
4. Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address

Mounting a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his speech, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Kiren Rijiju on July 1 accused him of lowering the dignity of the office of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha by making “extremely irresponsible” remarks and “unverified” claims.

They also accused Mr. Gandhi of insulting the entire Hindu community by terming them violent and “ asatyavadi (untruthful)”.

Mr. Vaishnaw said the Congress leader who was previously used to enjoying power without responsibility, now held a responsible post but was still making “most irresponsible statements”. The Union Minister countered the “false” assertion of Mr. Gandhi on the issue of compensation for Agniveers, stating that during the LoP’s speech Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had immediately clarified that ₹1 crore compensation is given to the family of those who lay down their lives in the line of duty. 

Ahead of the proceedings of the Parliament Session on Tuesday, MPs from the National Democratic Alliance converged for a meeting in Parliament premises. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president J.P. Nadda along with Union Ministers and other MPS were seen arriving for the meeting this morning. 

The NDA’s parliamentary party meeting is being held at GMC Balayogi Auditorium of the Parliament Library Building (PLB). 

Various NDA leaders including Giriraj Singh, Milind Deora, Kangana Ranaut and Jayant Chaudhary, were seen arriving for the meeting. 

Prime Minister Modi will address the MPs, in his first speech to the MPs of the ruling bloc during the first session of Parliament since he assumed office for a third straight term.

ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, in what will be his first speech to the MPs of the ruling bloc during the first session of Parliament since he assumed office for a third term. 

Though Mr. Modi has previously addressed the NDA MPs on a few occasions, especially when he was elected as their leader ahead of all his three terms, he generally speaks at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs meetings during sessions. 

Official sources said all members of Parliament of the BJP and its allies have been notified about Tuesday’s meeting and asked to attend it.