PM Modi advises ministers to refrain from commenting on Bharat-India political row
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged his ministers to avoid commenting on the ongoing "Bharat-India" political dispute.
During a Council of Ministers meeting where discussions on G20 and other matters took place, the Prime Minister advised, "Do not comment." This marks the first time PM Modi has addressed the topic with his ministers.
Over the past 24 hours, the opposition has convened two meetings to strategise on the issue. Earlier today, former Congress leader Sonia Gandhi sent a letter to PM Modi, suggesting nine topics for discussion during the special session of parliament scheduled to begin on September 18.
In response, the government sharply criticised Sonia Gandhi, arguing that she did not follow tradition, which does not require the agenda to be discussed before the session starts. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi clarified, "After the session is called by the President and before the session commences, there is a meeting of all party leaders in which parliamentary proceedings and issues are discussed."
The political row erupted on Monday when President Droupadi Murmu's invitation to G20 leaders referred to her as the "President of Bharat."
The following day, a document emerged that labelled PM Modi as the "Prime Minister of Bharat." The opposition has accused the ruling party of creating a smokescreen to divert attention from governance issues that have led to unemployment, poverty, and rising prices. They have also linked the issue to the opposition front naming itself "INDIA."
Meanwhile, a top source clarified that the special session is intended to discuss the G20, reported NDTV.
K Kavitha of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi questioned why Sonia Gandhi's letter did not include the long-standing demand for the Women's Reservation Bill. Gandhi's nine-point letter covered topics such as Centre-state relations, communalism, the situation in Manipur, and the border conflict with China.