Special Session of Parliament from 18th to 22nd September 2023

Nirendra Dev *

The Narendra Modi government on Thursday, Aug 31, sprang a major surprise on the political opponents on a day the 26-party I.N.D.I.A combine met in Mumbai to chalk out electoral strategies to take on the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

"Special Session of Parliament (13th Session of 17th Lok Sabha and 261st Session of Rajya Sabha) is being called from 18th to 22nd September having 5 sittings," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said here on August 31.

"Amid Amrit Kaal looking forward to have fruitful discussions and debate in Parliament," he said without revealing anything on agenda ! The simple wording tweet from the Minister took the nation by storm because the Monsoon session of Parliament - that was chaotic - had concluded just on Aug 11.

In terms of parliamentary history, this is the most unusual thing to happen. Even if PM Narendra Modi is going to advance Lok Sabha polls, there is no need for a parliament session.

Soon speculation on wide ranging issues have been made including 33 per cent women reservation. But this could be done even in the Winter session of Parliament by November-December this year. Another hot topic has been the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the third contentious electoral promise of BJP after Ram temple and Article 370. But that too could have been possible in the winter session.

'One Nation - One Election' is the only major issue that perhaps would require special debate and hence a special session. But there has been no official word yet.

In the northeast, speculation is rife about a possible breakthrough in peace talks with Naga and ULFA ultras of Assam. However, these could be initially decided as an 'executive decision'.

Of course there is a need for constitutional amendment(s), convening a special session is understandable. However, all these are premature as the Naga militants and especially NSCN-IM is not yet ready for any formal agreement even as parleys at crucial stages are on for the last fortnight in the national capital.

Naga peace talks between interlocutor A K Mishra (a retired Intelligence Bureau official) and NSCN-IM are at critical stage and influential general secretary of the militant group,Thuingaleng Muivah has also air-dashed last week to be present at the talks. Another influential group, the umbrella body NNPG is also in touch with Mishra and is also in favour of early signing of a peace pact to herald a lasting solution.

"We want an early solution and peace and we are optimistic about the same," said N Kitovi Zhimomi, convener of NNPG. The government interlocutors are also in touch with pro-talk ULFA led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the government move, "...maybe is an indicator of a little panic". "Same type of panic that happened when I spoke in Parliament House, panic that suddenly made them revoke my Parliament membership," he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said the timing of the session is curious as it coincides with Ganesh Chaturthi festival. "What kind of Hindu sentiment, the BJP is talking when the grand festival is celebrated in a big way in Maharashtra, rest of India and also across the globe".

Incidentally the government announcement for a special parliament session came close on the heels of fresh allegations against business tycoon Gautam Adani, who is alleged to be close to the BJP-led dispensation.

The Adani Group has dismissed the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)'s stock manipulation allegations, asserting its firm rejection of what it deems "recycled allegations."