PM Holds Key Meet With Top Ministers Amid Chaotic Start to Monsoon Session

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting with top cabinet ministers in the Parliament complex on Monday evening, as the first day of the Monsoon Session was marred by chaos and repeated adjournments.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day amid slogan-shouting by opposition members demanding an immediate discussion on ‘Operation Sindoor’, the recent military action against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were among the senior ministers present at the huddle with the Prime Minister, likely to discuss floor strategy.

The Opposition’s protests began as soon as the House convened, leading to four adjournments before the final one for the day. While Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla assured members he would allow a discussion after Question Hour, the opposition remained adamant. The government has already allocated 16 hours for a debate on the issue in the Lok Sabha and nine hours in the Rajya Sabha.

The first day also witnessed a significant bipartisan move as impeachment proceedings against High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma were formally set in motion. A motion seeking his removal, signed by 152 Lok Sabha MPs from across party lines including the BJP and Congress, was submitted to Speaker Om Birla. A similar notice signed by over 50 Rajya Sabha members was submitted to Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

The impeachment is being sought over allegations of misconduct after a large amount of burnt, unaccounted cash was recovered from the judge’s official residence following a fire in March. A Supreme Court-appointed panel had found the misconduct grave enough to warrant his removal.

Justice Varma has denied the allegations and has challenged the panel’s recommendation in the Supreme Court.