Parliament logjam: Oppn digs in as Monsoon session enters last week

NEW DELHI: As the Parliament session enters its last week with the prospect of continued disruptions, the opposition on Sunday sent out a warning that it is not willing to relent on its demand for a discussion on the Pegasus scandal to allow the proceedings.
Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, posting a video clip of different parties seeking a discussion in the House, tweeted, "PM Narendra Modi seems to have lost his nerve. Why is he not keen on answering questions in the Parliament? The opposition parties are ready for discussions but the BJP government is stalling the proceedings so that the truth doesn't get to the people." Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien retweeted the post with the comment "Mr Modi come listen to us in Parliament."
The aggression may continue barring the uncertainty over whether to join proceedings when the government introduces the 127th Constitution Amendment Bill to restore the rights of states to identify and maintain the "state lists" of OBCs which was scrapped by the SC judgement of May 5. The bill is listed in Lok Sabha for Monday. A meeting of floor leaders will take a call in the morning.
What has happened in the monsoon session is the coming together of key opposition parties, who were earlier fragmented, and taking a joint stand on issues to corner the government. The TMC's renewed aggression after victory in West Bengal elections over challenger BJP has been the catalyst in the unity.
The Pegasus scandal proved handy for the opposition as it tied in with their allegations that the Modi regime is "compromising the institutions and democracy". In fact, TMC and Shiv Sena argued that washout of Parliament was not a new development as BJP had done so over 2G scam during the UPA regime.
If the washout succeeds, the opposition parties believe it will strengthen their hand in future and the BJP would have to give due consideration to their demands.