New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP and BJP's Jharkhand chief Deepak Prakash speaking to ETV Bharat on Monday said that the monsoon session of Parliament has entered its last week, and hence the Opposition needs to coordinate. He added that the Centre is ready to discuss on issues related to the Pegasus spyware row and the three agricultural laws.
"The opposition does not want to discuss these issues in Parliament. There is nothing like Pegasus spying and the government has nothing to do with it. Coming to the issue of Agricultural laws, it is purely for the benefit of farmers. If all these issues are discussed, then the opposition will be completely exposed in the Parliament, hence they do not want to discuss on those issues and are simply making a fuss. The opposition is constantly doing negative politics and this shows that they do not believe in the democratic system and institution. This is very sad," Deepak Prakash said.
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The Rajya Sabha MP further said," Whether the caste census will be needed or not, the central government is considering it and a decision in this regard will be taken at the appropriate time. In Jharkhand, the ruling party is not trying to divert the public's attention from its failures by demanding a caste census. The law and order has completely collapsed in the state. Women are being raped frequently and judges are being murdered."
It is known that Opposition parties have been pressing on the Pegasus snooping row, repeal of farm laws and Covid-19 crisis since the commencement of the Monsoon Session. They even want PM Modi to clarify on Pegasus issue, the matter be taken up for discussion in the Parliament and that either a JPC or Supreme Court monitored probe be ordered. Vociferous sessions kicked off after Union Minister of IT Ashwini Vaishnaw's statement that the media report on Pegasus row was an attempt to malign Indian democracy. The session commenced on July 19 and is scheduled to end on August 13.
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Meanwhile, the demand for a caste based census has also heated up in the country, with the opposition uniting on the matter. Political parties (Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and RJD) in Jharkhand have also joined the chorus for caste based census in Jharkhand. On the other hand, Leaders of 15 Opposition parties met at the Parliament complex on Monday to formulate a common strategy on issues like the Pegasus snooping controversy and farmers' concerns as the Monsoon session of Parliament entered its final week. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was among those who attended the meeting held at the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
Besides the Congress, leaders of the DMK, TMC, NCP, Shiv Sena, SP, CPM, RJD, AAP, CPI, NC, IUML, LJD, RSP and the KC(M) were present. Opposition parties have united in seeking a discussion on the Pegasus snooping issue and the farmers' problems, and is exerting pressure on the government.
