The Narendra Modi-led central government has called a ‘Special Session’ of Parliament from September 18 to 22, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi informed on Thursday. It is not yet clear what would be the agenda of the special session. Also, the ‘Special Session’ is unlikely to be held in the new Parliament building.

“Special Session of Parliament (13th Session of 17th Lok Sabha and 261st Session of Rajya Sabha) is being called from 18th to 22nd September having five sittings. Amid Amrit Kaal looking forward to having fruitful discussions and debate in Parliament,” the minister wrote on X.

The Special Session of the Parliament will come days after the G20 Summit and there are no official words regarding the agenda during the 5-day session. The Winter Session of Parliament was supposed to be held in December. Assembly elections in several states are also due around that time.

While the announcement left social media a buzz in the absence of any official word on the agenda of the Special Session, it came just hours after the government told the Supreme Court that it was ready to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir at any time now.

During the hearing of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370, the Centre told the top court that while it was ready to hold polls, no specific timeline could be given at this point of time for restoration of the region’s statehood.

Opposition criticises Centre over “secret decision” 

The Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) questioned the government’s decision to call the special session in a secretive manner. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the an important Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi will fall during the same time and asked on what basis the decision was taken.

“The manner in which Pralhad Joshi has secretly taken this decision and tweeted – my question is that a very important festival of the country, Ganesh Chaturthi (will be celebrated at that time)…So, we want to know why is this anti-Hindu act being done? On what basis has the decision been taken?…Is this their ‘Hindutvavadi’ mindset?…” she said.