The speculation of early general election further got noise as the Narendra Modi government surprised everyone on Thursday by convening a special session of the Parliament. According to sources, this special session may see bills for ‘One Nation, One Election’, Uniform Civil Code and women’s reservation.

The present term of Modi Government is scheduled to end in May next year.

“Special Session of Parliament (13th Session of 17th Lok Sabha and 261st Session of Rajya Sabha) is being called from September 18-22 having 5 sittings,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi announced on micro blogging site X. The Monsoon session ended on August 11.

‘Fruitful discussions’

“Amid Amrit Kaal looking forward to have fruitful discussions and debate in Parliament,” added Joshi. Though he did not clarify whether the upcoming session would be held in the new or old Parliament building, sources did not rule out sittings in the new building.

The announcement surprised political circle, but did add fuel to the speculation of early general poll. On Monday TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee had said, “I am apprehensive that they (BJP) could hold the Lok Sabha elections in December or in January next year.” Later on Tuesday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reiterated his Bengal counterpart’s claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party might conduct the Lok Sabha elections in December this year and emphasised the need for the Opposition parties to remain united.

There are other theories for early election going round. On the one hand, rising inflation is giving headache to the ruling party, on the other hand initial indications from Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are not favourable. There is also thinking that the BJP does not want to give time to the opposition alliance to gain strength. Considering all these, it is believed that the BJP may club State polls with Lok Sabha election. However, only thing to note here is that newly constructed Ram temple is going to be inaugurated in January and it has huge political significance.  

The announcement for convening special session was made on a day when INDIA alliance meeting started in Mumbai. More than two dozen parties opposed to the BJP are expected to attend the two-day brainstorming session, during which they will discuss issues related to seat sharing for next year’s Lok Sabha polls and finalise other agendas. The meeting will conclude on September 1.

There is also no clarity on the agenda of this session, but it is expected that both the houses could take up some key Bills such as Uniform Civil Code, One Nation One Election, Women Reservations and Restoration of State hood for Jammu & Kashmir, Insurance Amendment Bill, beside others. Since three Bills for giving new shape to criminal jurisprudence are with the Standing Committee, they are unlikely to be taken up. It is also expected to approve special resolution on India’s Presidency in G20.

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