All-party meeting sets the stage for winter session; Opposition pushes for SIR, security debate

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A day before the winter session of Parliament begins, the government called an all-party meeting at the Parliament House Annexe chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday, November 30, in which 50 leaders from 36 political parties were present.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussions took place in a “positive atmosphere” and the government has sought cooperation from all parties to ensure smooth functioning of both the Houses.

14 legislative and other business items have been provisionally listed for the session, he said, adding that the government is ready to raise any important issue under the rules of Parliament.

But the opposition hinted at a stormy session, demanding a full debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and warning that Parliament could be disrupted if the discussion was refused.

Several opposition leaders also stressed on the urgent debate on national security after the recent Delhi blasts as well as issues like air pollution, farmers’ concerns, economic security and foreign policy.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh described the all-party meeting as a “mere formality” and alleged that the government had listed a topic for short-term discussion “without any consultation with the opposition”.

He criticized the short session of 15 days – one of the shortest in parliamentary history – and said that of the 13 bills listed for passage, “ten have not been examined by the relevant standing committee.” He also suggested that the government could introduce additional bills at the end of the session.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the government of attempting to “eliminate democracy” and “bury parliamentary traditions”, claiming the ruling party does not want a substantive discussion on national security or concerns related to the Election Commission and the purity of voter lists. He said the opposition demanded debate on security, pollution, farmers’ issues and foreign policy.

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The Samajwadi Party took a tough stance, with MP Ram Gopal Yadav saying the party “will not allow the House to function” if the SIR was not taken up for discussion.

Trinamool Congress also pressed for debate on SIR, MNREGA, national security and air pollution. TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee along with MP Derek O’Brien said that 40 booth level officials have reportedly died during the SIR exercise and alleged that the process should not be used to remove names.

He criticized the government for not allowing discussions raised earlier by the opposition, questioning the Speaker’s statement that “the government was not willing.”

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said the SIR was a “common issue for the opposition”, while CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar reiterated the demand for a debate on national security, alleged irregularities in the SIR and rising pollution levels.

Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda along with senior ministers, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ram Meghwal and L.

The winter session begins on Monday and will continue till December 19, with 15 sittings in 19 days.

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