NEW DELHI: The monsoon session of Parliament, in which the contentious Delhi Services Ordinance may be brought in as a legislation, will begin on July 20, parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said on Saturday.Though a short session spread over 17 sittings until August 11, it is likely to be politically significant in light of the opposition's efforts to close ranks against the Modi government over the purported "attack" on India's federal structure.Already, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government has challenged the ordinance in Supreme Court.

Though the list of legislative business likely to be taken up during the session remains unclear as yet, the stage will be set for high drama in Parliament if the government moves to introduce or pass the legislation replacing the ordinance.So far, most opposition parties barring Congress have formally announced their intent to oppose the passage of the bill in the Upper House, where the NDA does not have a clear majority.At the meeting of opposition leaders in Patna this month, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had conveyed to Kejriwal that his party will in principle oppose any attack on the Constitution and its federal principles.

However, the party had stopped short of formally pledging support to AAP, saying that a joint opposition strategy on the issue will be devised once the Parliament session is convened and all non-BJP parties meet to discuss the common action plans on the legislative agenda and other issues.Opposition parties will also seek to corner the government over the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which has continued unabated for close to two months since the beginning of May.

The Prime Minister's emphasis some days earlier on the need to implement the Uniform Civil Code, which triggered sharp reactions from the opposition parties, is also expected to ensure that the proceedings of both Houses will be stormy.03:16Government doesn’t want Monsoon session to run smoothly: Congress leader Pramod TiwariJoshi, however, urged political parties to contribute towards "productive discussions" during the session.

"Monsoon Session, 2023, of Parliament will commence from July 20 and continue till August 11.

Urge all parties to contribute towards productive discussions on legislative business and other items during the session," he tweeted.Congress's Jairam Ramesh shot back almost immediately.

"...and we hope Joshi-avare that the Govt.

will allow discussion on ALL issues of concern to the people that the Opposition has been raising continuously, including those on which the Prime Minister has maintained a studied silence," he said, referring to the violence in Manipur.The government is also expected to introduce the National Research Foundation Bill, which was cleared by the cabinet this week.

The proposed foundation will be a new funding agency to bolster the country's research competence in areas of science and technology.