Sonia Gandhi holds virtual meeting with CMs

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi held a virtual meeting on Wednesday with chief ministers of Congress-ruled states and their counterparts of West Bengal, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. The virtual meeting was convened to discuss several key issues such as the row over NEET/JEE exams,the COVID-19 situation in the country and GST compensation to states.
Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi held a virtual meeting on Wednesday with chief ministers of Congress-ruled states and their counterparts of West Bengal, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

1. Sonia Gandhi held a virtual meeting with CMs of Congress-ruled states

The virtual meeting was convened to discuss several key issues such as the row over NEET/JEE exams, the Covid-19 situation in the country and GST compensation to states.

2.Key issues of NEET/JEE exams, the Covid-19  and GSTcompensation to states were discussed

Targeting the Centre over various issues, the leaders said there was a need to work and fight together against the Modi government.

3.There is a need to work and fight together against the Modi government:CMs

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said, announcements such as those related to the National Education Policy should really worry the opposition as they are a setback for secular and scientific values and reveal the "insensitivity" of the government.

4.NEP 2020 is a setback for secular and scientific values

Sonia Gandhi raised concern over the problems of students who are being forced into risk by not postponing NEET and JEE exams. Congress leader said the government is dealing with students "uncaringly".

5.Congress leader said the government is dealing with students "uncaringly".

Sonia also slammed the centre for not paying the GST compensation to the states.In the meeting of Standing Committee of Finance on 11 August, the finance secretary stated that the Centre is not in a position to pay mandatory GST compensation of 14% for the current year.Sonia Gandhi said," This refusal is nothing short of betrayal on part of the Modi government."

6."This refusal is nothing short of betrayal on part of the Modi government", said Sonia Gandhi

In her introductory remarks, Sonia said she agreed with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray that all opposition-ruled states should together fight the Centre for their rights.

7.All opposition-ruled states should together fight the Centre for their rights: Sonia Gandhi

Congress interim president also talked on the draft EIA legislation and called it anti-democratic; she said, laws to protect environment, public health are being weakened by the Modi government. We have to work and fight together against the Central government.

8.Laws to protect environment, public health are being weakened by the Modi government:Sonia

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said, We should decide whether we have to fight or fear the Central government."Opposition chief ministers should speak louder as the Central government is trying to suppress our voice."

9. We should decide whether we have to fight or fear the Central government:Uddhav Thackeray

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said "The exams (NEET/JEE) are in September. Why should the lives of students be put at risk? We have written to the PM, but there has been no response.If the Prime Minister does not listen to us, then we all (states) collectively should approach the Supreme Court on the issue."

10."If the Prime Minister does not listen to us, then we all collectively should approach the Supreme Court on the NEET/JEE issue: Mamata Banerjee