Winter Session of Parliament: SIR Debate Looms Large as Parties Prepare for Turbulent Session
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The upcoming winter session of Parliament is set to be a contentious one, with the Opposition determined to corner the government on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The session, which begins on Monday and will conclude on December 19, is expected to be marked by heated debates and disagreements between the ruling party and the Opposition. In a series of meetings held on Sunday, including an all-party meet chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meetings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the Opposition made it clear that they would not allow the House to function without a debate on SIR. The exercise is currently underway in 12 states and UTs. While the government has listed 10 new bills for introduction during the session, including a discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram, India's national song, the Opposition is keen to focus on pressing issues such as electoral reforms, national security, pollution, and foreign policy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his allegation that the unexpected results in Bihar were due to 'vote chori' (vote theft), while party president Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of Opposition parties on Monday to chalk out a strategy. Other parties, including the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, and Telugu Desam Party, have also raised various issues, including the functioning of the Election Commission, air pollution, labour codes, and the drug menace. The government, however, remains confident that it can ensure a smooth conduct of the session, despite the expected turbulence. In a statement, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the government is willing to discuss the SIR issue and other pressing matters to improve productivity in the House. The Opposition, however, remains resolute in its demand for a debate on SIR, which it sees as an opportunity to create a common platform for warring Opposition parties and showcase its strength.
