Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday initiate the “special discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram” scheduled in the Lok Sabha with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expected to cap the 10-hour debate, which is expected to see fireworks and political jousting.

The principal opposition party — the Congress — has also drawn up a list of heavyweights in anticipation of the treasury side’s attacks on first PM Jawaharlal Nehru and his role in the adoption of Vande Mataram, the national song, as we know it today.

From the Congress, deputy leader of the party in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi is likely to lead the debate with MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Deepender Singh Hooda, Bimol Akoijam, Praniti Shinde, Prashant Padole, Chamala Reddy and Jyotsana Mahant to participate.

Ahead of the discussi

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