Sonia Gandhi invites mega opposition meet

Congress party has taken the initiative to unite the opposition to discuss the present situation in the country, Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi will head the online session of a mega opposition meet with 18 opposition parties

The Congress has called a video conference of the opposition parties on Friday afternoon to discuss the current situation in the country.

1. Congress has called a video conference of opposition parties

The agenda includes the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the migrant issue and the states' suspension of labour laws

2.Government's handling of COVID-19 pandemic in the agenda

Congress will also raise the issue of freeze on the activities of the various parliamentary committees which function even when the parliament is not in session.

3. Congress will raise the issue of freeze of parliamentary committees

The meeting, to be held on Friday, is also expected to discuss the government's economic package and other steps regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

4. The meeting will also discuss government's economic package

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will chair the meet, for which 18 parties have been invited. MK Stalin's DMK, the Left parties, and Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress have already accepted.

5. 18 parties have been invited for the meeting

In Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee said, "I will attend. It is a good thing. We will discuss the COVID-19 situation".

6. Mamata Banerjee has welcomed the initiative by the congress

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar is also expected to attend the online session.

7.  NCP Chief Sharad Pawar will also attend the online session

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Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "We will follow every possible option to ensure there is a legislative oversight" and work with the opposition parties.

8. Congress seeks a legislative oversight to act responsibly amid crisis

Since Parliament was adjourned in March days ahead of the countrywide lockdown, the government has been conducting video conferences on various levels to discuss governance issues.

9.Parliament stands adjourned since March due to COVID-19

No meeting of the standing committees of parliament has been allowed, with the government contending that these are to be held in camera.

10. Government has not allowed any meetings of the standing committee

The Narendra Modi-Amit Shah combine has made the opposition "immobile", the government has been resisting this (the meetings),"a leader from the opposition said

11. PM Modi and Amit Shah has made the opposition immobile:Congress

Several Congress leaders heading committees including Shashi Tharoor, and Anand Sharma have written to the Presiding officers asking that these meetings be allowed virtually

12 Congress leaders have asked to allow the meetings virtually

The government has already been criticized for over-centralisation during the pandemic.