Today in Politics: All eyes on INDIA bloc as it looks to fill gap with NCP(SP) over special session demand
Cracks seem to be appearing between one main constituent of the Opposition INDIA bloc and the others over the demand for a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor.
Interesting to see would be how the Opposition alliance mends the differences. On Friday, NCP(SP) Baramati MP Supriya Sule, who was a apart of one of the all-party delegations who went abroad to put forward India's stand in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, told The Indian Express that the Congress had approached her to join the bandwagon in demanding a special session of Parliament over the issue but she had refused saying that it was a time to be united and not play 'petty politics'.
'While I was abroad as a part of the delegation, the Congress contacted me. I said I cannot join them as I am away and told them to wait till all the delegations return. I told them, let's have a meeting and decide after I return, but it happened before I returned. That is why I could not sign the letter to the Prime Minister,' Sule told The Indian Express.
Sule's remarks come close on the heels of 16 Opposition parties writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a special session, saying 'there are serious questions facing the nation about the terror attack, killing of civilians in Poonch, Uri and Rajouri, the ceasefire announcements, and the implications on our national security and foreign policy'. The NCP(SP) was not a signatory.
They also come amid the rising 'closeness' between NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar and his estranged nephew and NCP chief Ajit Pawar. In the recent past, the two leaders have been seen sharing the stage at multiple events.
Earlier, the senior Pawar, who has served as the Union Defence Minister, had categorically said that his party would not demand a special session of Parliament over Operation Sindoor as 'some things were not meant to be discussed in public'.
On the other hand, Sule said the country comes first and India must send a message to the world that we are united against any terror attack. 'Pawar sahab had made it very clear. We were expecting that when the July session comes, hopefully everything will be settled by then, then we can definitely debate it. Because in a vibrant democracy, every issue must be debated, but there has to be a right time for it.'
Sule said her party would 'definitely ask' the government questions during the Monsoon session. 'Of course, I think India will ask questions, not just the NCP (SP). India will ask questions. India wants to know a lot of answers. It is not just about the NCP (SP), India wants to know.'
UK foreign secretary to visit India
Aiming to further strengthen UK-India ties, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy will be on a two-day India visit starting Friday.
During his visit, he is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister.
He will also hold talks with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
– With PTI inputs
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