Lok Sabha Breaks Deadlock: Parliament Set to Resume with Debate on Electoral Reforms

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In a breakthrough after two days of disruptions, the Lok Sabha has agreed to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls next week. The decision was made at an All-Party Meeting chaired by Speaker Lok Sabha Om Birla on Tuesday. The meeting also cleared a debate on the 150th anniversary of the national song 'Vande Mataram' to be held on Monday. The Opposition, led by the Trinamool Congress and the Congress, initially rejected the proposal to debate 'Vande Mataram' before discussing the SIR. However, after an informal meeting with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, they accepted the offer. The opposition has vowed to corner the government in both debates. The Lok Sabha will dedicate 10 hours to discuss electoral reforms on Tuesday, with the possibility of extending the time if necessary. The debate on the SIR issue will be covered in a short-duration debate on the urgent need for electoral reforms. The breakthrough comes hours after the Opposition staged a protest outside the Parliament building on Tuesday morning, demanding a debate on the SIR. The possible breakthrough also comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's opening remarks on Monday, where he emphasized the importance of parliamentary business and urged the Opposition to raise important issues. The Lok Sabha has seen three adjournments and the Rajya Sabha one on Tuesday, with Opposition leaders submitting notices for adjournment motions. The session ends on December 19. With the debate on the SIR scheduled for next week, leaders are confident of a sense of breakthrough and smooth sailing for Parliament in the coming days. The Rajya Sabha floor leaders are expected to finalize a plan to debate the two subjects in the Upper House on Wednesday, with the Upper House to debate only after the Lok Sabha completes the discussions.