Second phase of Budget session begins on Monday; Congress raises doubts over Opposition unity in House

 T he meeting was convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed doubts that some parties might not attend if the Congress convenes a meeting in view of the changed political scenario following the Assembly poll results.

the second phase of the Budget session beginning on Monday with, the Congress on Sunday appeared apprehensive of the Trinamool Congress and other opposition parties like the AAP coming together to form a united front against the government in Parliament.

The meeting was convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed doubts that some parties might not attend if the Congress convenes a meeting in view of the changed political scenario following the Assembly poll results.

Soon after the Assembly elections, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said all parties who want to fight the BJP should go together, saying the Congress is losing its credibility and we cannot depend on the Congress.

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The Congress had also accused the TMC and the AAP of dividing the opposition votes in Goa.

In Goa, the Congress won two seats while the AAP managed to win one seat.

At a meeting at Sonia Gandhi's 10, Janpath residence, the idea was to send a negative message to the opposition camp by staying away from the meeting called by the Congress.

Sources said Congress deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma suggested that the party should informally reach out to other parties before convening a formal meeting. It was decided that Congress Chief Whip in Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh would informally approach leaders of other parties to know their mood.

Besides Kharge, Sharma and Ramesh, the meeting was attended by senior leader Manish Tewari and floor managers Kodikunnil Suresh and Manickam Tagore. The party has decided to raise in the session the alleged delay in evacuating Indians from Ukraine, future of students returning from the war-torn country, price rise, border conflict with China and unemployment.