NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament beginning July 20, the BJP-led NDA is set to finalise its floor strategy at a meeting of senior alliance ministers chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, with the government preparing to push a series of key legislations, including a renewed attempt to secure the passage of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill on delimitation and women's reservation.
According to sources, the meeting will focus on the NDA's legislative agenda, coordination among alliance partners and a unified strategy to counter the Opposition during the session.
Floor leaders of constituent parties are expected to attend ahead of the all-party meeting on July 19, where the government will brief Opposition parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to chair the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting on July 21.
The strategy meeting assumes significance as the government believes the political arithmetic has improved since the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority during Parliament's special session in April.
While the NDA is still believed to be a few MPs short of the constitutional threshold, sources said the ruling alliance is optimistic about securing support from regional parties following recent political realignments.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday expressed confidence that both the Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill would be passed during the Monsoon session, claiming the NDA now has the numbers required after recent developments involving parties such as the Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the DMK.
He urged Opposition parties to support the proposed constitutional amendments, saying women should benefit from reservation in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Apart from the constitutional amendment Bills, the government is expected to introduce several other key legislations during the session.
The NDA is also preparing for an Opposition offensive on issues including the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple and recent political defections.
Sources said Friday's meeting would also discuss floor management and the alliance's response to a breach of privilege notice moved against Rajnath Singh.
The meeting coincides with the Joint Parliamentary Committee adopting its report on the proposed Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, which has drawn criticism from Opposition parties over provisions relating to the disqualification of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Union Ministers if they remain in judicial custody for 30 days without securing bail.
