Did Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi Skip All-Party Meetings During UPA's Tenure?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Amit Malviya criticized Congress for not attending crucial meetings.
- Congress leaders did not participate in all-party discussions.
- Prime Minister Modi's engagement contrasts with UPA's approach.
- The ongoing political climate is marked by heightened tensions.
- Accountability in governance remains a key issue.
New Delhi, July 20 (NationPress) BJP leader Amit Malviya delivered a scathing critique of the Congress party on Sunday, accusing it of hypocrisy and selective amnesia regarding the Prime Minister's involvement in all-party meetings. In a post on X, Malviya stated, "Congress has once again been revealed — blatantly lying about the Prime Minister’s participation in All Party Meetings," as he made a stark comparison between the UPA and NDA eras.
He provided evidence to support his argument, claiming that during the UPA's decade-long governance, neither then-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh nor Congress President Sonia Gandhi attended a single All-Party Floor Leaders meeting designed to facilitate the smooth operation of Parliament.
“The inaugural meeting took place on August 13, 2013, chaired by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath,” he highlighted, adding that subsequent meetings in December 2013 and February 2014 were also led by ministers.
In contrast, Malviya pointed out that PM Narendra Modi has actively participated since 2014. "Prime Minister Modi initiated his attendance at all-party leaders' meetings from July 2014, establishing a new benchmark for accountability and dialogue," he wrote. Between 2014 and 2021, PM Modi consistently attended these meetings, after which the responsibility shifted back to ministers, reverting to the previous norm.
“Before the Congress party casts blame, they must clarify why Dr. Manmohan Singh or Sonia Gandhi did not attend a single such meeting in a decade,” Malviya challenged.
"The lesson here is clear: Congress lacks memory, consistency, and credibility," the BJP IT cell chief concluded in his X post.
His comments come amidst expectations of a tumultuous session, where the Congress-led INDIA bloc is anticipated to challenge the government on various issues including the Bihar SIR, the Pahalgam terror attack, and US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks regarding the India-Pakistan ceasefire.
Recently, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh dismissed the all-party meeting as merely "a formality," noting that it occurs every session with Rajnath Singh, J.P. Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, and a few others in attendance, yet no significant outcomes arise.