New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) Regional parties on Sunday raised various state-specific issues at an all-party meeting here on eve of the Monsoon session, with the Biju Janata Dal demanding that a discussion be held in Parliament on the “deteriorating” law and order situation in several states including Odisha.
Speaking to media after the meeting, BJD’s Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Sasmit Patra alleged “utter lawlessness, anarchy and rise in crime against women” in Odisha under the BJP rule.
“A 15-year old girl was set on fire by some miscreants in Puri district of Odisha on Saturday. She is in critical condition, undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneshwar. The recent incident of self-immolation by a BEd student in Balasore district has shaken the conscience of this nation,” he said.
“About a month ago, a 20-year old college girl was gang-raped at Gopalpur sea beach in Odisha. I could go on and on talking about heinous crimes perpetrated against women and girl children in Odisha while the BJP government in the state stands helpless, completely confused and utterly failed,” he added.
The BJD MP also cited a recent case of assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo and said the incident clearly shows how the Odisha government under the BJP is functioning in the state in “utter lawlessness and anarchy”.
Claiming that the law and order situation in other states are also deteriorating, Patra said, “We have specifically demanded that an extensive discussion be held on deteriorating law and order situation in the states.” “This government (the Centre) cannot escape from the issue just by saying that law and order is a state subject. When there is a double-engine government in Odisha, it is functioning in coordination with the central government. Hence, this government (Centre) is also accountable,” he said.
Patra said the BJD will raise several other issues, including the incident of Puri rath yatra stampede, during the Monson session of Parliament.
At the all-party meeting, the ruling NDA constituent Telugu Desam Party (TDP) proposed a discussion on the diplomatic visit of multi-party delegations to various countries following Operation Sindoor.
“We have proposed a few topics for discussion in Parliament. We have proposed a discussion on multi-party delegations’ foreign visits and their feedback. We also want discussion on PM Dhan Dhanya yojna, Jal Jeevan Mission, interlinking of Godavari and Krishna rivers and huge success of PLI scheme,” he told reporters.
“We have also requested for a discussion on online abuse of women as well as women reservation bill,” he said.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Majhi, who participated in the meeting, said her party also demanded a discussion on the women reservation law. “The government should make it clear when will it be implemented,” she told reporters.
YSR Congress Party MP Maddila Gurumoorthy said his party raised various issues including “collapse of law and order in Andhra Pradesh and corruption” under the TDP rule.
AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP M Thambidurai said his party raised issues such as “custodial deaths” in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan government’s action against fishermen. He said that his party also raised the issue of drug menace in Tamil Nadu and demanded implementation of the women reservation law.
BRS Rajya Sabha MP K R Suresh Reddy said his party demanded discussions on interlinking of Godavari-Krishna rivers, farm distress and “shortage” of fertilizers in Telangana, urging the government to provide adequate time to regional parties to speak in Parliament.
“We demanded a discussion on the issue of delimitation also. It’s a big concern in south India. The government should tell how the delimitation exercise will be carried out and assure that it will not lead to reduction of seats in southern states,” he told PTI. PTI PK PK KVK KVK
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