New Delhi [India]. July 20 : Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant reiterated the demand of several political parties to hold a comprehensive discussion on Operation Sindoor and its aftermath, foreign policy, and other pressing national issues during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Sawant was among 54 leaders from 51 political parties who participated in the all-party meeting convened by the Centre on Sunday ahead of the session's commencement on July 21.
Speaking to ANI, Sawant said that the opposition collectively demanded discussions on three primary topics: Operation Sindoor, foreign policy, and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
"All the parties demanded discussion on Operation Sindoor, Pahalgam. The second was on foreign policy. Donald Trump is saying something every day. The third thing was the way the Election Commission is working in Bihar right now. After that, we raised the issue of law and order. We raised the issue of language, farmers' suicide, and mill workers of Mumbai. We said that all these issues should come up for discussion," Sawant said.
Kerala Congress MP K. Francis George also mentioned that the opposition is looking to thoroughly discuss whether India's defence forces faced any losses during Operation Sindoor, while also raising the issues of farmers and trade talks with the US.
"We want to go very deep into it, what is our loss, whether we have lost anything as far as our defence assets are concerned. We will also be raising farmers' issues, trade talks that are going on, and the Bihar SIR/voters list. All these issues will be raised in the meeting," the Congress MP said.
For his home state of Kerala, too, he said that the party will be raising the issue of Nimisha Priya, who was arrested in Yemen on a murder charge and is set to be executed.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey criticised the Prime Minister for remaining "silent" after US President Donald Trump claimed that multiple planes were shot down during the increased hostilities between India and Pakistan.
"PM should speak on this (on Donald Trump's remarks). This is very disgraceful. Our country's army is very brave; it is the pride and glory of our country. All three chiefs of our army are saying that we have not suffered any losses, but President Trump is saying that the planes have been shot down... If the PM remains silent, then people will believe that he is telling the truth," Dubey said.
While President Trump did not clarify whether the losses were from the Indian or Pakistani side, India has vehemently denied asking the US to mediate between the two countries, and said that the agreement on cessation of hostilities was mutually agreed upon without a third party in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
To ensure the smooth functioning of the parliament, the Centre on Sunday convened an all-party meet before the commencement of the first day of the Fifth Session of the Eighteenth Lok Sabha on July 21 (Monday). Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju urged both the ruling and opposition sides to coordinate to ensure the smooth functioning of the House.
The meeting was attended by 54 representatives from 51 political parties.