From Deadlock to Compromise: Opposition Retreats On its Demands, Proposes 'Middle Path Solution' To Resolve Parliament Impasse

The Opposition has proposed a "middle path solution" to the government in order to initiate a discussion on the Manipur unrest and potentially resolve the impasse in Parliament.

After multiple meetings between government and Opposition floor leaders to resolve the deadlock in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, a significant development has finally taken place.

One of these meetings, held today (3 August), involved Congress chief and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal, and Pralhad Joshi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to Twitter to share the decision taken by the INDIA alliance.

Disagreements between the Opposition and treasury benches on the appropriate rule for discussing the situation in the northeastern state, have led to repeated disruptions in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over the past two weeks.

The Opposition has insisted on discussing Manipur under Rule 267, which allows for the suspension of all business to address key issues.

On the other hand, the government prefers a short duration discussion under Rule 176.

According to a report from NDTV, Opposition has proposed holding the discussion under Rule 167, which includes the provision for voting.

An Opposition MP has reportedly stated that, "The government wants Rule 176 and we want Rule 267. If we can agree on Rule 167, we may find a middle ground."

Previously, the government had announced that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would address Parliament regarding the situation in Manipur, where over 100 lives have been lost due to ethnic violence in the past two months.

However, the Opposition maintained that it is the Prime Minister who should be addressing Parliament on this matter.

Now it remains unclear whether the Opposition has abandoned its demand for a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the unrest in Manipur.