Govt ready to discuss all issues, PM Modi tells all-party meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the government is ready to listen to the opposition and is open to discussion on all issues, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said after an all-party meeting on Thursday (January 30).

At the briefing after the meeting, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the opposition has demanded that former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah be released immediately so that he can attend the Parliament session.

“In the all-party meeting, the prime minister said that the government is ready to listen to opposition’s views and is open to discussion on all issues,” Joshi said.

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He said that Modi was for discussion on economic issues and how India can take advantage keeping the global economic situation in mind.

Azad also said the government’s stand on the anti-CAA protests shows its arrogance and alleged that it has made no effort to reach out to protestors.

“The opposition should introspect as the amended citizenship act has been passed democratically in Parliament,” Joshi said on oppositions criticism of the government not listening to it on the issue.

Allies, opposition criticise of CAA

At the all-party meeting on Thursday, the BJP’s oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal backtracked from its previous stand on the amended Citizenship Act. As reported by The Hindustan Times, Akali Dal leader Sardar Balwinder Singh Bunder said in the meeting that lawmakers should not pass legislation which will hurt citizens and the minorities, Akali Dal leader Sardar Balwinder Singh Bunder.

All the opposition parties except the AIADMK were severely critical of the contentious law and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also called for the release of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar.