Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Dec 1: Even before the opposition created the turmoil in Parliament demanding discussion on the “Special Intensive Revision” of the electoral rolls, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the opposition asking them not to resort to “drama” but “focus on delivery,” evoking a sharp retort from the Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi that raising issues concerning people was no drama but “disallowing discussion” on public problems was.
Taking a swipe at the Opposition ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, Mr Modi on Monday said some parties cannot digest the defeat in the Bihar polls, and hoped that Parliament would not become the site of a “meltdown.” In what could count among his most scathing addresses before a Parliament session, the Prime Minister said he was ready to give tips to the Opposition on how to perform, but they must not disrupt the functioning of the two Houses during the Winter Session.
The big turnout in the Bihar polls and the participation of women were creating hope and faith, the Prime Minister said. “The world is looking at this very carefully. India has proved that democracy can deliver.” The Parliament, he said, must be focused on the direction the country was going in. “The opposition should also do its duty. They should raise key issues. They should come out of the disappointment of defeat. Unfortunately, a few parties are not able to digest defeat,” he said in an apparent swipe at the Congress. He said the Parliament must not turn into a battlefield of a meltdown over poll defeat or a place to demonstrate pride.
He said young MPs across party lines should be given a chance to raise issues in Parliament. “There are a lot of places to do drama. Those who want to do it should do it. There should be no drama here; there should be delivery.” The Prime Minister said “negativity” should be kept within limits and attention given to nation-building. In a dig at Congress and other Opposition parties, the Prime Minister said in some states, there was so much anti-incumbency after their rule that they cannot go to the people. “And that is why all the anger comes to the Parliament. Some parties have started a new tradition of using the Parliament.” The Prime Minister said the Opposition should realise that such tactics were not working. “I am ready to give tips on how they should perform.” But allow the MPs to express themselves. Don’t sacrifice MPs for your disappointment and defeat,” he said.
Hitting back at Mr Modi, Ms Priyanka Gandhi said discussing pressing issues was not drama. “Drama is not allowing discussion, drama is now having a democratic discussion over about that matter to the public,” Gandhi said in a blunt retort. She mentioned election situation, Special Intensive Roll (SIR), and Delhi’s air pollution as “huge issues”, and said, “Let us discuss them. What is the Parliament for?”
In an all-party meeting a day before, the Opposition unanimously demanded an in-House discussion on a host of issues including Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the recent Red Fort blast, air pollution and developments related to the government’s foreign policy. They had even warned of stalling proceedings if the government does not agree.
Later, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted in the Rajya Sabha that the government was not averse to holding a discussion on SIR or electoral reforms, as he asked the Opposition not to insist on setting a timeline. He was responding to Opposition members who were demanding an immediate discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls or electoral reforms in the House.
Not satisfied with the Minister’s response, members of several opposition parties staged a walkout from the Upper House. Responding to the Opposition parties’ demand to start an immediate discussion on the SIR, the Minister sought more time to respond to the matter.
Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan earlier disallowed the notices given by nine Opposition members on several issues, including a discussion on SIR under rule 267, leading to protests by the Opposition. The Chairman later asked members to raise their Zero Hour mentions.
“Nobody is undermining any matter which was brought out by the Opposition party yesterday in the all-party meeting or Business Advisory Committee (BAC) today. What I am saying is, it is under the consideration of the government,” Mr Rijiju said. “…if you put a condition that it has to be taken up today itself, then it becomes difficult, because you have to give certain space,” he added.
The Minister informed that certain Opposition parties raised matters other than the SIR and stressed the need to protect their rights as well. “However, I am saying again, the matter related to whatever you call it, special intensive revision or electoral reforms or whatever. I have stated before the beginning of the winter session that the government is not averse to taking up discussion on anything,” Mr Rijiju said.
“Please give us some time while there are other businesses, which are listed, that can be taken up. The demand, which you have put forward, has not been rejected. So, don’t presume that the government is not ready to discuss any matter,” the Minister said, adding that “Please do not put a condition on the timeline.” He was responding to the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Khrge’s demand that the discussion on SIR should start immediately.
Mr Kharge also asked the ruling party not to divide opposition parties. “Don’t divide us. If you try to divide us, we will be stronger.” TMC leader Derek O’Brien called for the start of a discussion on electoral reforms with immediate effect, while CPI (M) member John Brittas said the Parliamentary Affairs Minister should honour his words and the House should hold a discussion on electoral reforms.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) had announced SIR in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal will go to the polls in 2026. In Assam, where polls are also due in 2026, the revision of electoral rolls was announced separately. It is being called ‘Special Revision’.
Meanwhile, a BJP delegation, led by Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, visited the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kolkata on Monday triggering loud protests by members of Booth Level Officer (BLO) forum, who have been demonstrating there over alleged excessive workload during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, a senior officer said.
As Mr Adhikari, accompanied by several BJP MLAs, arrived at the CEO’s office to meet officials, protesting members of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee started shouting slogans and tried to breach police barricades, he said.
They have been demanding relief from “excessive workload” by extending the SIR deadline by another two months and compensation for the next of kin of the deceased BLOs. The protests continued even as Mr Adhikari and other BJP MLAs entered the office to meet Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal and Special Roll Observer Subrata Gupta.