Parliament Winter session: Opposition to strongly push for discussion on SIR, national security

The upcoming Parliament Winter session promises to be a stormy one what with the Opposition sharpening its knives over the implementation of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in many states.

The Opposition on Sunday (November 30) demanded that a discussion be held in Parliament over the SIR of electoral rolls and indicated that functioning of both the Houses would be hampered if such a debate is not allowed.

During an all-party meeting convened by the government a day before the Winter session of Parliament, the Opposition parties also strongly pressed for a discussion on national security in the wake of the Delhi blast incident. They also alleged that the government wants to "finish off" democracy and "bury" parliamentary traditions.

No consultation

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the all-party meeting to discuss the agenda for the Winter session of Parliament starting Monday is a mere formality.

Also read: Parliament session: Govt gears up for reform drive as Opposition set to flag SIR issue

Ramesh, who attended the meeting, said the Modi government has made its intentions clear by listing a subject for a short duration discussion without any consultation with the Opposition.

"This session of 15 days will be the shortest in Parliamentary history. The Modi government has listed 13 Bills for passage. Of these one replaces an ordinance and two have gone through a committee of the Lok Sabha. So ten Bills have not been examined by the Standing Committee concerned," he said on X.

It is possible that a bill not listed at present will suddenly get introduced towards the later part of the short session, Ramesh said.

"The Modi government has made its intentions clear by listing a subject for a short duration discussion WITHOUT any consultation with the Opposition," he said.

'Derailing' Parliament

Earlier, briefing reporters on the all-party meeting, Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi alleged that the ruling party under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to "finish off" democracy, "derail" Parliament and "bury" parliamentary traditions.

He said that at the all-party meeting, the Congress demanded a discussion on national security, air pollution, ensuring purity of voter list, farmers' issues and foreign policy.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi demands Parliament debate on Delhi’s air pollution

"It seems the government, under the leadership of the prime minister and the home minister, is looking to finish off India's democracy and parliamentary traditions," he told reporters.

Security of democracy

Gogoi said his party demanded that there be a discussion on security in the country, including national security in the wake of the Delhi blast.

It seems the government does not want short duration discussion on national security, he claimed.

"The second is the security of democracy. The EC before, during and after elections is acting in a biased manner. There should be a discussion on the purity of the voter list," he said.

Gogoi said the Congress also demanded a discussion on the issue of air pollution.

"Fourth is economic security. Farmers are not getting the right prices...also security against natural disasters is an issue," he said.

"We also raised the issue of foreign policy. India is formulating its foreign policy on the basis of other countries. Someone does not like us buying oil from Russia. Another country is investing in its defence and we are not ready," Gogoi said.

He said the Opposition is united, and does not want the temple of democracy to be used only to sing "paeans of just one person”.

It seems the government wants to "derail" Parliament and "bury" parliamentary traditions, he alleged.

SP on SIR discussion

The Samajwadi Party said it would not allow Parliament to function if a discussion on the SIR is not held during the Winter session.

Also read: Congress seeks all-party meet on Delhi blast, Parliament's Winter Session to be advanced

After the all-party meeting, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav asserted that the government cannot shy away from discussing SIR saying it is being conducted by the Election Commission.

"We will not allow the House to function if discussion is not held on SIR," he said.

More time for Opposition

Speaking with reporters, TMC's Kalyan Banerjee said, "The TMC had earlier raised issues such as SIR, MGNREGA, but these were not allowed to be discussed. Why were they not allowed? The honourable speaker had said the government was not willing. If Parliament functions only with the government’s consent, then what value does the Opposition hold?"

"We have called for allocating more time for Opposition as 70 per cent time is taken by the treasury benches," Banerjee, accompanied by party MP Derek O'Brien, claimed.

"Allow issues raised by Opposition such as SIR... 40 persons (booth level officers) have expired. The process of SIR should not be aimed at deleting names," he said.

Banerjee said there should be an elaborate discussion on national security.

"The all-party meeting has just become a ritual...PM is saying ghuspethiyas have to be thrown out, how many were there in Bihar-- zero...this is all drama," he said, hitting out at the government over SIR.

Asked if the TMC would stall Parliament if discussion is not held on SIR, Banerjee said, "We think good sense will prevail and they will discuss SIR...We are not saying we will stall Parliament," Banerjee said.

After the all-party meeting, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva said, "The government has listed 14 bills; the common issue for the Opposition is SIR." CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar also raised the issues of national security in the wake of the Delhi blast, alleged irregularities in SIR and air pollution, calling for a debate on them in Parliament.

(With inputs from agencies)