New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi plans to hold a dinner party for Opposition leaders including CMs of Opposition led state governments, sources say. The meeting is aimed to strengthen the unity among various political parties to take on the ruling NDA government. The opposition has been protesting and forcing adjournments on their other demands including a probe into allegations of surveillance through Pegasus spyware and repeal of new farm laws. Meanwhile, a delegation of opposition leaders in Rajya Sabha will meet Chairman Rajya Sabha Venkaiah Naidu at his residence on Thursday at 12.15 pm.
Opposition leaders on Thursday had also taken out a protest march towards Vijay Chowk from the Parliament demanding repeal of Centre's three farm laws and over the adjournment of the monsoon session of Parliament.
As many as 15 Opposition parties have reportedly taken part in the protest march. The parties include -- Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), Shiv Sena, National Conference, CPM, CPI, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Kerala Congress (Mani) and Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD).
Read: 'Murder of Democracy,' says Rahul Gandhi as Opposition march to Vijay Chowk
The Opposition resorted to vehement protests on Wednesday as the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill, 2021 was taken up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha after it passed a constitution amendment bill unanimously. The bill was moved for consideration and passing by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. It was then that the protesting opposition members had approached the well of the House and some of them were seen tearing papers.
On the other hand, Opposition members in Rajya Sabha had slammed the government over the incidents in the House when a bill related to insurance businesses was taken up for passage with NCP leader Sharad Pawar alleging that "women MPs were attacked" and "more than 40 men and women were brought into the House from outside to control the MPs.
