Let us discuss transparency in election funding: PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Faced with a united opposition that plans to corner the government in the winter session of Parliament beginning Wednesday over the currency recall issue and demand for a probe into the alleged ‘selective leakage’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered to discuss all issues but pushed his agenda of debating possibilities of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and state elections and transparency in funding elections.

The government had convened an allparty meeting on the eve of the winter session to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament but the Opposition gave clear signals that it will be a stormy one and at the meeting expressed willingness to discuss all issues of “national interest”, including that of black money, fake currency, terror funding and corruption.

Sources said the NDA will emphasise that those raising questions relating to currency recall were against the nation’s well-being.

Also read: Opposition to raise the issue of selective leak of demonetisation notification

“The Prime Minister requested all parties to utilise the winter session to the fullest to debate all issues of national interest. Just as the opposition had supported the Goods and Services Tax Bill in the last session and created a win-win situation, it should do the same this time with all supporting our crusade against black money,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said.

Modi underlined that the issue of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and state elections as well as state funding of elections to make the process transparent should be discussed. The latter issue also gives BJP an opportunity to take on parties opposing the demonetization move.