Parliament LIVE | Those rejected by people trying to control Parliament: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (November 25) slammed the Opposition, saying those who were rejected by people 80-90 times were trying to control Parliament by resorting to hooliganism for their own political gains.

Addressing reporters ahead of the start of the Winter Session of Parliament, Modi said such handful of people did not succeed in their intentions but people of the country observed their actions and punished them at an appropriate time.

Modi's remarks came days after the BJP-led coalition won the Maharashtra Assembly elections by a landslide, bagging 235 seats and relegating the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi to a distant 49 seats in the 288-member House.

"There should be a healthy debate in the Parliament but, unfortunately, certain individuals are trying to control Parliament for their own political gains, resorting to disruptions and chaos," Modi said. "Though their tactics ultimately fail, the people watch their behaviour closely and deliver justice when the time comes," he added.

Also read: After US SEC summons, fresh plea in SC seeks probe in indictment of Gautam Adani

Modi said he had been repeatedly urging Opposition colleagues, and some also agreed that Parliament should function smoothly. "But those who have been continuously rejected by the public ignore the words of their colleagues and disrespect their sentiments and that of democracy," the prime minister said.

Stage set for showdown

The Winter Session of the Parliament may start on a stormy note as the Opposition parties led by the Congress are on the offensive over Gautam Adani’s indictment by US agencies and fresh instances of ethnic violence in Manipur.

Congress whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore has already moved the adjournment motion in the Lower House to raise indictment of Adani in the US.

The recent press conference of Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, over the Adani issue gave an indication of what to expect during the Winter Session when he demanded that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) be set up to examine the allegations.

“The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will now start a drama when the Winter Session of the Parliament begins, try to disrupt its proceedings and target the economy,” said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, giving ample hint to what would be government stance on the issue.

Also read: Waqf panel: Opposition MPs may meet Speaker over chair’s ‘unilateral decisions’

Waqf Amendment Bill among 16 listed

The Winter Session of Parliament, beginning Monday, is scheduled to last till December 20. The government has listed 16 bills, including the Waqf Amendment Bill, for consideration in the session.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been listed for consideration and passage after the joint committee of the two Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The panel is mandated to submit its report on the last day of the first week of the Winter Session.

Opposition members on the panel are demanding an extension in the timeline to submit its report. They have alleged that committee chair Jagdambika Pal, a BJP MP, is bulldozing the committee meetings and has sought the intervention of Speaker Om Birla.