Ready to debate any issue in Parliament: What PM Modi said ahead of winter session

The Winter session of the Parliament begins today. Prior to session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an all-party meeting on Tuesday. He urged the opposition to show support to demonetisation and policy, as it was in national interest. 

The Winter session, that begins on Wednesday, is expected to be stormed by aggressive reactions from the opposition over demonetisation and session might get washed out.

Here are the key points Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the all-party meeting.

On Demonetisation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government has launched a crusade against the black money and he expects all the parties to cooperate in this fight against corruption. “We have launched a crusade against corruption, black money and fake currency, which is also behind cross-border terrorism. All parties should come together on this issue of national interest,” he said.

On elections

PM Modi suggested at the all-party meeting that the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections can be held together and there should be a discussion over the same in the upcoming winter session of the parliament. He said that there should be brainstorming on states funding the elections. “A crucial problem is how to make political funding transparent. How to implement state funding of elections. Let all political parties debate it and come to a conclusion. Let’s remove the question mark which exists against those in public life. Polls happen separately. Let there be one election, simultaneous elections,” he said.

PM Modi said he is looking forward to a fruitful session and the government is ready to debate any issue. He reminded and thanked the parties about how GST was passed in the previous session. 

He, however, said that despite facing stern opposition, he would not roll back the demonetisation policy. The opposition parties have termed this step as draconian.