An all-party meeting called in Delhi on the eve of the Monsoon Session on Monday, July 20,  ended in a deadlock over controversies related to Lalit Modi and Vyapam scam even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered to discuss all issues.

This clearly has set the mood of confrontations in the upcoming monsoon session of the Parliament. While a number of parties felt a washout of the Parliament is not a solution but the history suggests a washout is inevitable.

On the demand put forth by the Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan should resign. The government ruled out any resignations. “There is no question of accepting ultimatum by anybody. From where did the question of resignation arise? Nobody can dictate terms to the government. From Government side, no Union Minister has done anything illegal or immoral,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said.

The Prime Minister chose the occasion to remind parties that smooth running of Parliament is a “shared responsibility” though the government has to take initiative for it. He appealed to them to utilise the Parliament time for discussing all issues.

On the Land bill, the Prime Minister quoting Ramgopal Yadav, Modi said “it is time that we should move forward on the land bill issue, incorporating suggestions from all sides. We should move positively on this issue.”

The Congress was, however, somewhat isolated at the meeting called by Naidu on its stand of not allowing Parliament to function if Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje did not resign in connection with Lalit Modi row and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan did not quit over Vyapam scam.

“This is not correct. (The) Parliament will run but government must allow discussion,” JD(U) President Sharad Yadav said when asked about the Congress’ stand.

Naidu said that 29 opposition parties did not back the Congress’ stand on not allowing the House to function.

With important legislations like the land bill, the GST bill and the real estate bill pending before the Parliament, the government is seeking the support of all parties in their early passage.

Modi said the Monsoon Session was short and hence its time needs to be utilised for debating important issues, for which the government was ready. “There are many outside forums where various issues are discussed extensively. The Monsoon Session is short, hence the time of the Parliament should be used for debating issues which are relevant and important,” the Prime Minister said.