PM Modi calls meeting of all parties' presidents on June 19, to discuss 'one nation, one election'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting of presidents of all parties represented in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, June 19, to discuss issues, including 'one nation, one election' and the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said on Sunday. Addressing the media, Joshi further said the BJP has received suggestions from opposition parties and their allies, adding that the prime minister has sought ideas from the new faces in Parliament.

In a bid to build team spirit in Parliament, Modi has also convened a meeting of all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs on June 20, he added. The other factors which will be on focus during the meet are the celebration of 75 years of India's independence in 2022 and issues related to aspirational districts, Joshi stated.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi: Prime Minister wants to build team spirit in the Parliament, so he has called a meeting of all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs on June 20th. https://t.co/yudB6u4kV5

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2019

The press brief by Joshi comes following an all-party meeting, called by the government, a day ahead of the first Parliament Session of the 17th Lok Sabha. During the meeting, the Centre has deliberated on various issues concerning the nation today. It also sought support of the opposition parties to ensure smooth functioning of both the Houses of Parliament. Apart from Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ram Gopal Yadav, and Thawar Chand Gehlot, leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha took part in the meeting.

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The Modi government, at the meeting, also discussed on a host of crucial bills, including Triple Talaq, The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers Cadre) Bill, 2019 and Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill 2019, likely to be tabled in the first session of Parliament commencing tomorrow, i.e. June 17. The session will continue till July 26. The Modi 2.0 Cabinet will present the Economic Survey on July 4 while the Budget on July 5.

On the first two days, the newly elected MPs will be administered the oath of office by pro-tem speaker Virendra Kumar. The elections for the Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled to be held on June 19. President Ram Nath Kovind will address the joint sitting of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, following a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to his address.

The BJP parliamentary party executive committee, which was constituted on Wednesday, will hold its first meeting at around 3:30 pm later in the day. While PM Modi was announced its leader in Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is his deputy.

(With inputs from agencies)