Opposition Meeting Tomorrow To Decide On Mock Parliament vs Government

In the middle of a deadlock and non-stop disruptions in parliament, over 14 opposition parties will meet tomorrow morning to decide on the option of a "mock parliament" outside.

A breakfast meeting at around 9.30 am is being planned at the Constitution Club in Delhi, according to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

The parties allege their voice is not being heard in parliament.

"All floor leaders and other MPs will join the meeting," Mr Kharge said.

This will be the second opposition meet since last week, when leaders of various parties discussed a coordinated strategy to mount pressure on the government.

Since the monsoon session began on July 19, parliament has barely functioned because of opposition protests and demands for discussions on the Pegasus snooping scandal and the farmer protests among other points of conflict.

Government sources say more than Rs 133 in taxpayers' money has been lost because of disruptions.

The opposition wants a discussion and an independent inquiry led by a Supreme Court judge - serving or retired - into reports that Israeli Pegasus spyware sold only to governments was used to target opposition leaders, judges, activists and even ministers.

The government has dismissed these demands, saying a statement read out in parliament by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav - one of the potential targets of the hacking - was sufficient. The BJP calls the Pegasus allegations a "non-issue".

The opposition has accused the government of rushing Bills through in the chaos.

Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien, noting that Bills were being passed "at an average time of under seven minutes per bill", sarcastically asked if the government was "making papri chaat".

"In the first 10 days, Modi-Shah rushed through and passed 12 bills at an average time of UNDER SEVEN MINUTES per Bill... Passing legislation or making papri chaat!" - Mr O'Brien tweeted.