Ahead of the Parliament's Monsoon Session, the opposition has strategized to corner the government on four major issues: the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, revisions to the voter list, and the Waqf Bill. The session will commence on July 21.
Monsoon Session 2025: The Parliament's Monsoon Session is scheduled to begin on July 21, 2025, and will continue until August 21. There will be no proceedings on August 13 and 14 due to Independence Day. Prior to the session's commencement, the central government convened an all-party meeting, attended by leaders from various prominent parties. While the government outlined its priorities, the opposition planned to corner the government on four key issues during the session.
All-Party Meeting: Who Attended
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, and Anupriya Patel. Representing the opposition were Congress MPs Manickam Tagore, Jairam Ramesh, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, BJP MP Ravi Kishan, and representatives from parties such as Samajwadi Party, YSR Congress, JDU, AIADMK, CPI (M), and DMK.
Issues on the Opposition's Agenda
The opposition has identified four significant issues in the all-party meeting on which it intends to hold the government accountable during the Monsoon Session.
- Pahalgam Terrorist Attack and Security Lapse: Regarding the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, in April 2025, the opposition is questioning the government's security strategy. They argue that the attack could not be prevented despite intelligence inputs.
- Operation Sindoor and Questions on Foreign Policy: The opposition is expressing dissatisfaction with the central government's foreign policy concerning Operation Sindoor, conducted by India in May 2025. Some parties believe that this operation has weakened India's diplomatic standing.
- Changes in the Voter List in Bihar: The opposition is questioning the impartiality of the Election Commission regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign in Bihar. They claim that this process is being conducted to benefit certain parties.
- Full Statehood for Jammu & Kashmir: The opposition parties are preparing to bly raise this issue. They assert that the democratic status of Jammu & Kashmir should be restored.
AAP's Stance and Discussion on US Ceasefire Statement
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh stated that the special revision of the voter list in Bihar and the ceasefire statement by US President Donald Trump were also discussed in the meeting. The opposition described these statements as indicative of instability in India's foreign policy.
Major Bills to be Introduced in the Monsoon Session
The central government is scheduled to introduce several significant bills in Parliament during the Monsoon Session. These include:
- Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025
- Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2025
- Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill 2025
- Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025
- Heritage Site and Antiquities (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill 2025
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2025
- National Sports Administration Bill 2025
- National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025
Heated Debates Expected in Parliament
In addition to these four major issues, the opposition will also target the government on other matters such as inflation, unemployment, and women's reservation. The government will strive to ensure that all necessary bills are passed on time during the session. Meanwhile, the opposition will strategically review these bills and demand discussions on them.
