Ask govt to immediately convene Winter Session: Cong to prez

The Congress today urged President Ram Nath Kovind to ask the government to immediately convene the Winter Session of Parliament, even as it accused the BJP dispensation of "murdering" parliamentary traditions.
Congress leader Rajiv Shukla alleged that the government was running away from discussion on key issues in Parliament as it feared that it might have an adverse effect on the Gujarat elections scheduled on December 9 and 14.
"The president, who is head of the Parliament, should take congnisance why the Winter Session is not being convened and ask the government to immediately convene it," he told reporters.
The Congress leader cited earlier dates when Parliament session was convened before to Gujarat elections.

"It is very strange that the government is not convening the Winter Session the Cabinet Committee of Parliamentary Affairs has not even met so far," he claimed.
Shukla wondered why the session was not being convened.
"Is the government fearing that when issues are raised in Parliament, it may have an adverse effect on Gujarat polls... Why is it avoiding the session and what is the reason that the government is fearing convening it. Parliamentary traditions should not be murdered like this," he alleged.
The Congress leader said the government feared facing Parliament and that was why ministers wanted to run away and campaign in Gujarat instead.