The winter session of Parliament began on Monday, but opposition demands for discussions on various issues that led to early adjournments in both houses.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the opposition in his customary address before the proceedings of the both Houses began, accusing them of attempting to employ hooliganism to control Parliament.
Highlights from Day 1 of the winter session are as follows:
‘Those rejected by people resorting to hooliganism’: PM Modi
Despite being repeatedly rejected by voters, PM Modi blasted the opposition, accusing them of attempting to disrupt Parliament for political reasons. Speaking to the media before Parliament’s session began, Modi stated that the opposition’s main objective seemed to be impeding rather than advancing the work of Parliament.
Taking a swipe at the opposition alliance, Modi said, “Unfortunately, some people, who have been rejected by the public, are constantly trying to control the Parliament for their own political interests through the hooliganism of the people. The public counts all their activities and punishes them when the time comes. The most important thing is that the new members of parliament who come with new ideas and energy are usurped by some people. They do not even get the opportunity to speak in the Parliament. In the democratic tradition, the job of every member is to prepare the next members, but those who have been rejected by the people 80-90 times, do not allow any discussion in the Parliament, do not respect the sentiments of democracy, do not understand the importance of people’s expectations”.
INDIA bloc meets to discuss strategy for Parliament session
To devise a cohesive approach for Parliament, leaders of the INDIA bloc convened at the office of Rajya Sabha Opposition Leader and Congress MP Mallikarjun Khagre. It is anticipated that the opposition will draw attention to the purported case of bribery and fraud involving the Adani group and advocate for a discussion on the Manipur violence.
In response to the meeting, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said that a plan would be created to deal with these problems.
INDIA bloc demands discussion on Adani
INDIA bloc floor leaders demanded a “detailed discussion” in Parliament about the claims of fraud and bribery made against the Adani group.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Khagre, in a post on X, said, “We do not need monopolies and cartels to run this country. We need healthy market-driven competition in the private sector, which facilitates equal opportunities, employment, and equitable distribution of wealth, catering to the inherent entrepreneurial spirit of India.”
He continued, “The first step the government should take is to have a detailed discussion on the Adani saga, which has the potential of tarnishing India’s image at the global stage.” Millions of retail investors’ money is at risk, Kharge added.
Opposition seeks extension in tenure of JPC on Waqf Bill
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla met with opposition party members of the Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill to lodge complaint against Jagadambika Pal, the panel’s chairperson. The allegedly accused him of rushing the proceedings on the important legislation.
In a memorandum to the Speaker, the opposition members asked for a “reasonable time” extension of the committee’s tenure to allow thorough deliberation on the comprehensive bill.
DMK MP A Raja told the reporters during the meeting, “We submitted to the Speaker that the due processes are not followed by the chairman. He is hurrying up, bulldozing the proceedings.”
Both Houses adjourned
After early interruptions, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were both adjourned for the day. Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were first suspended when opposition MPs called for a debate on the Gautam Adani group’s alleged bribery. After the opposition continued to press for their demands, the House was initially adjourned until 11:45 a.m. and then for the full day.
The next meeting of the Rajya Sabha is scheduled on Wednesday, November 27. Speaker Om Birla opened the Lok Sabha session with obituary references before calling off the meeting until midday. The House was briefly recessed for the day and will reconvene on Wednesday in response to demands from opposition parties for talks on a number of topics.
Tomorrow, November 26, the Parliament will also mark the Constitution’s 75th anniversary.
The house session concludes on December 20, having a total of 25 days since its commencement today.
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