In a significant show of support, the Congress has announced its opposition to the Centre’s ordinance concerning the regulation of services in Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government have received backing from the Congress in this matter. The ordinance has become a contentious issue, and opposition parties, including the Congress, have assured their support to AAP. The Congress has taken a soft stance and plans to oppose the ordinance in Parliament. General Secretary KC Venugopal has clearly stated the party’s intention to oppose the Centre’s ordinance. He also mentioned that AAP might attend the opposition meeting scheduled in Bengaluru on Monday.
Congress Stands Against Centre’s Ordinance
While speaking to media in meeting in Bengaluru, KC Venugopal said, “I think they (AAP) are going to attend the meeting tomorrow. As far as the ordinance (on control of services in Delhi) is concerned, our stand is very clear. We will not support it.”
Raghav Chadha, Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, welcomed the Congress’ decision in a tweet, “Congress has announced its clear opposition to the Delhi Ordinance. This is a positive development.”
Jairam Ramesh hints at Congress’ stance
On Saturday, the Congress decided to raise several issues, including the Manipur violence, encroachment on the federal structure, and price rise, during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament starting from 20th August. The party reiterated its commitment to opposing any infringement on the constitutional rights of elected governments by the Modi government. Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary of the Congress, made this statement after a meeting of the Congress parliamentary strategic group led by party parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi.
KC Venugopal Confirms Congress’ Opposition: Plans to Challenge Ordinance in Parliament
The Congress’ decision to continue the fight against the “attack on the federal structure” is significant, considering AAP’s demand for clarification from the Congress regarding the central government’s ordinance related to Delhi. Ramesh also mentioned that the Congress would seek an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur issue during this session.
Manipur Violence, Federal Structure, and Price Rise
The meeting, held at Sonia Gandhi’s residence on 10-Janpath, was attended by Party President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and several other senior party leaders. Ramesh, in a statement to reporters after the meeting, said, “In this hour-and-a-half-long meeting, we discussed the bills to be presented by the government in the monsoon session and the issues we will raise.”
The Congress General Secretary stated, “We insist on discussing the Manipur issue in Parliament. It should be a priority in the session. The Prime Minister should speak and be present in the House, inform the House, and break his silence.”
Congress to Raise Key Issues in Monsoon Session
Regarding other issues, Ramesh mentioned, “We would like to discuss the train accident in Balasore and rail safety. The Modi government itself is attacking the federal structure, sometimes directly and sometimes through the governors appointed by them. Elected governments are under attack. The Congress has always fought against it and will continue to do so.”
When asked about the Delhi ordinance, Ramesh stated, “The Congress has always been and will always be against any encroachment on the constitutional rights of elected state governments. We will oppose it inside and outside the Parliament.” However, he did not explicitly refer to the Delhi ordinance.
