Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that the BJP-led central government is “very much open to discussing important issues like Operation Sindoor in Parliament” amid pressing demand from the opposition parties for a debate on US President Donald Trump’s controversial claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.”We are very open to a discussion on important issues like Operation Sindoor. These are issues of great national importance. The government is not shying away and will never shy away, but is open to discussions within rules, conventions,” the minister told the media after the meeting. Stressing that the ‘niyam’ (rules) and ‘parampara’ (conventions) will be given importance, he said the matters raised at the meeting would be taken up at the Business Advisory Committee of both houses, where a final decision would be taken.”We have noted all the points. We have requested all parties (to ensure) the Parliament functions properly. Have to ensure coordination. It is the responsibility of all to help Parliament function,” he said.Rijiju also said that the government has noted the demand for allocation of more time to parties with fewer MPs to speak in Parliament.”We will try and provide adequate time to all, including smaller parties,” he said.The minister said the government is bringing 17 key bills, details of which would be provided soon.The all-party meeting convened by the Union government ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament saw the Opposition raise a host of contentious issues — including voter roll revisions in Bihar, the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, and Trump’s claims. While the government sought the cooperation of opposition parties for the smooth conduct of the House, the meeting quickly pivoted to pointed demands for accountability.However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from whom the opposition has been seeking answers regarding Trump’s repeated claims on brokering India-Pakistan ceasefire, is unlikely to respond in Parliament on these issues, reported PTI, citing sources.Responding to the opposition’s demands for PM Modi to make a statement on the Pahalgam attack and other issues, Rijiju said, “I want to make it clear that the prime minister remains in Parliament except during foreign travel. The prime minister always remains in Parliament, but the prime minister does not remain in the House all the time.””Whenever Parliament functions, cabinet ministers are present to respond to issues concerning their departments,” he said.
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