‘People have right to know’: CM urges special Parl session on Pak conflict
Times of India | 24 May 2025
Kolkata: Calling on Centre to convene a special session of the Parliament to discuss the conflict with Pakistan, CM Mamata Banerjee said the people of India had "the foremost right to know... before anyone else".Banerjee, who has supported Centre on Operation Sindoor and the bilateral steps taken afterwards, said in a statement on X: "I am glad to see all-party delegation visiting various countries as part of India's global outreach against terrorism. As I have consistently maintained, the AITC (Trinamool Congress) stands firmly behind any step the Union takes in the national interest and in defence of our sovereignty."Posting the Indian national flag along with her statement, the CM added: "I urge the Union Government to convene a special session of Parliament upon the safe return of the delegation, as I believe the people of this great nation have the foremost right to be informed about the recent conflict and the evolving developments — before anyone else."Banerjee's statements came in the backdrop of Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee visiting Japan as part of a delegation, in the first leg of outreach to several southeast Asian countries. A Trinamool delegation, including senior Rajya Sabha MPs, is touring Poonch, Rajouri and Uri sectors near the India-Pakistan border, which saw multiple civilian casualties due to incessant shelling by the neighbouring country.Trinamool Congress spokesperson Samir Chakraborty said: "CM Mamata Banerjee wishes success to the all-party delegations and has welcomed Centre's attempt to get the support of other countries against terrorism. Apart from this, she has sought a special Parliament session after their return for a discussion of their reports in the presence of the PM."Chakraborty added: "A parliamentary session should be called as soon as the teams return to explain the developments in detail. It is Trinamool Congress's request that politics should not be done over the sovereignty of the nation. We are saying this to all politicians, and even Centre. If one section politicises the issue, its rival will start countering it. At this time, the country's security and sovereignty come first."Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "The CM's statement makes it clear that while Trinamool Congress is on the same page with Centre when it comes to issues of the nation's security and sovereignty, there is also a need for people to know the exact sequence of events during and after the conflict... Hence, the need for a special session of Parliament.""We also want to make clear that on these issues of national interest, there is no scope for politics. Having said that, people in the country have the right to know what happened before anyone else," he added.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes, messages and quotes !