Uttarakhand, Article 356, Ishrat Jahan to dominate Lok Sabha session from today

The second part of the Lok Sabha's Budget session that begins today is likely to be stormy right from the start with the government and the Opposition pitched for a confrontation over the destabilisation of the Congress governments in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh with the use of Article 356.

The Congress and other Opposition parties have already given notices for discussion on the issue in both houses of Parliament, but the government may not allow the discussion given that the matter of Uttarakhand is still in court.

"The issue of President's Rule in Uttarakhand is sub judice. I don't think it can be discussed until April 27," said Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan after an all-party meeting on Sunday evening.

However, according to sources from among meeting participants, Mahajan had not brought up this point during the meeting, says The Indian Express.

While the government was represented at the meeting by minister of state Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the Opposition was represented by Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress), P Venugopal (AIADMK), Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD), AP Jithender Reddy (TRS), Tariq Anwar (NCP) and Ram Chandra Paswan (LJP).

The Supreme Court will hear the Centre's challenge to the Uttarakhand High Court's verdict that quashed President's Rule on April 27. Till then, the high court's order has been stayed.

Kharge, supported by Jai Prakash Narain of the RJD, asked Mahajan to accept the Congress party's notice for the admission of an adjournment motion on Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh on Monday.

Mahtab also gave a notice for a short duration discussion on the arbitrary use of Article 356 of the Constitution for the removal of state governments.

Kharge also wanted debates on the Pathankot issue and the India-US Logistics Agreement.

Mahtab wanted on the Ishrat Jahan case affidavit controversy, whereupon Asaduddin Owaisi said in that case, the NIA's functioning should also to be discussed.

All parties agreed on a debate on the drought and drinking water scarcity in 300 districts in the country, and Venugopal said the government should not to raise important bills since members from the states going to assembly polls would be absent.