PM Narendra Modi To Chair Key Cabinet Meet Shortly, Big Announcements Likely

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the Union Cabinet around 6:30 PM on Monday. Though the agenda of the meeting is yet to be revealed, it is expected that the key bills listed for consideration during the special session are likely to be discussed. The meeting will be held in the Parliament Annexe building.

Ahead of the meeting, Union Commerce And Industries Minister Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. BJP chief JP Nadda was also present in the meeting. Goyal and Joshi are expected to meet PM Modi before the meeting. 

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had earlier announced that the five-day special session will be discussing eight bills. They include the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023; the Post Office Bill, 2023, the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, a bill on the welfare of senior citizens and three related to SC/ST order.

It is also anticipated that the government may introduce surprise moves. Two issues which were rumoured to be taken up in the special session of Parliament were the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill and a potential resolution to rename India as Bharat. However, there has been no official word in this regard.

The special session of Parliament, which began today, will continue until September 22. On Tuesday, the functioning of Parliament will be formally shifted to a new building.

Initiating the discussion on the ‘Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – achievements, experiences, memories and learnings’ in the Lok Sabha on Monday, the PM referred to the Parliament shifting to the new building on Tuesday and said “bidding goodbye to this building is an emotional moment”.

The PM also referred to the times of Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh and said that they have given new direction to the nation under their leadership and today is an occasion to highlight their achievements.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech recalled the words of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee that governments will come and go, parties will form and collapse but the country should remain.

He also highlighted former PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous speech titled ‘Tryst with Destiny’ delivered to the Constituent Assembly in 1947. 

“The echoes of Pandit Nehru’s “At the stroke of the midnight…” in this House will keep inspiring us. In this House itself, Atal ji had said, “Sarkarein aayegi-jaayegi, partiyan banegi-bigdegi, lekin ye desh rehna chahiye. This echoes even to this day,” PM Modi said in his speech.

He also touched upon Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Ram Manohar Lohia, Chandra Shekhar, Lal Krishna Advani and others who have enriched the discussions in the House and emboldened the voice of the common citizens.

PM Modi also highlighted the address by various foreign leaders in the House which brings to the fore their respect for India. He also recalled moments of pain when the nation lost three Prime Ministers while still in office- Nehru, Shastri and Indira. The Prime Minister also recalled the dexterous handling of the house by the speakers despite many challenges.