Lok Sabha Leaders Agree to Debate on Vande Mataram and Electoral Reform Amid Winter Session Tensions

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In a breakthrough, Lok Sabha floor leaders have agreed to a discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram, followed by a two-day debate on electoral reform. The move comes after a tumultuous start to the winter session, where Opposition parties demanded an immediate debate on electoral reform and disrupted business. On Monday, the Lok Sabha floor leaders met under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, where they agreed to the discussion on Vande Mataram next Monday. The debate on electoral reforms is scheduled to take place on December 8 and 9. The government had been keen to prioritize a debate on 150 years of Vande Mataram, but Opposition parties have been pushing for a discussion on electoral reforms. The agreement on Vande Mataram is seen as a step towards ensuring a smoother functioning of the ongoing winter session in the Lok Sabha. However, the Rajya Sabha floor leaders are yet to decide on the schedule of debates, leaving some uncertainty about the progress of electoral reform discussions. On Tuesday, a meeting between the government and Opposition parties failed to yield a breakthrough on the discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju assured that the discussion will take place, but the Opposition parties are still seeking clarity on the timeline. Opposition leaders have expressed concerns about the government's handling of the issue, citing a 'huge trust deficit' due to the government's behavior towards the Opposition. The Opposition has rallied to push for a discussion on SIR, pointing out that 28 Block Level Officers involved in the revision have passed away. The government's decision to prioritize a debate on Vande Mataram before taking up the discussion on SIR has been met with skepticism by Opposition parties, who fear that the issue may be pushed to the side due to lack of time.