New Delhi [India], July 20 : Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address critical issues in Parliament, particularly regarding, defence, foreign policy and electoral structure.
Gogoi emphasised the importance of the PM Modi's presence in Parliament to provide clarity on Pahalgam terror attack, responding to US President Donald Trump's claims about mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and Election Commission's functioning, particularly in relation to the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and its potential extension to other states.
As the all-party meeting concludes a day before the monsoon session of Parliament, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the government will have to put forth its point on the security lapse in the ghastly April 22 terror attack.
"There are some crucial issues that will be raised in the monsoon session, and this is why we have more hope than before that Prime Minister Modi will address the country through the House. Those important issues are Pahalgam and the security lapse, as well as the things the Lieutenant Governor said about it. A lot of time has passed, and the government will have to put forth its point on it," Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the Lok Sabha, told reporters here.
"The statements coming from the US President today, in some way, raise questions on the dignity of India, the bravery of the Indian Army. The answers to the US President can be given only by the Prime Minister," he added.
Gogoi said that concerns regarding the Election Commission and its workings have been consistently raised since the constitutional body has not provided any clarifications. He added that the Prime Minister has the responsibility to put forth the government's position on issues related to elections.
"Important questions are being raised today regarding the right to vote. The way the Election Commission is shying away from talking to various political parties and is not giving clarifications. Important questions are being raised about the upcoming elections in states, about the entire electoral structure, and the constitutional democratic structure. Being the head of the government, it is the duty of the Prime Minister to put forth the position of his government or the government's side inside the House," the Congress leader said.
Gogoi stressed the need for the Prime Minister to clarify the government's stance on defence and foreign policy, especially regarding the two-front axis formed on India's borders with China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
"The third thing is that our senior army officers have raised a very sensitive issue about the two-front axis that has been formed on our border with China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. So it is very important that we talk about defence and foreign policy. It will be very important for Prime Minister Modi to come to this House and put forth his views on these three subjects," the Congress MP said.
He criticized the government's handling of the Manipur crisis, pointing out that despite the Prime Minister's promise of peace, the state still faces unrest and violence almost two and a half years later.
"Today, this government is also bringing various bills regarding Manipur and the Prime Minister had said about Manipur that peace will come to Manipur in a few months. Almost two and a half years have passed and we are not able to see an atmosphere of peace. The Prime Minister goes to small countries. But in a small state of our own country, where fire is still there, he is avoiding it for some reason. We hope for a positive discussion in the coming session," he added.
The opposition bloc, INDIA, plans to jointly raise these concerns in Parliament and demands that Prime Minister Modi address the House on these issues during the upcoming Minsoon Session, starting from Monday seeking clarity and accountability from the government.