A view of the Parliament building.
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: Parliament’s Winter Session is all set for a stormy start on Monday with the Opposition sharpening its arsenal to insist on a discussion on the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls even as the government expressed its willingness to discuss any issue as per rules.
Besides the SIR, the Opposition is also keen to have discussions on national security against the backdrop of Delhi car explosion, labour codes, Governors’ role and pending dues to states. It has already warned the government that it will be responsible for disruptions, if a debate on SIR is not allowed.
While it is keen to hold a discussion to celebrate the 150th year of ‘Vande Mataram, the government has told floor leaders that it intends to bring 13 Bills and Supplementary Demands for Grants during the session that is scheduled to end on December 19.
At the customary all-party meeting, the Opposition parties from Congress to Trinamool Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party and CPI(M) among others strongly demanded a discussion on SIR. Leaders like Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien and CPI(M)’s John Brittas said they were flexible on the wording of the notice on SIR and it could be enlarged into electoral reforms.
Congress Lok Sabha Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi designed the Congress demands around the umbrella of security and said there should be discussions on national security, security of electoral process and economic security among others. “The security of democracy is important. The EC is biased. There should be a discussion on the purity of the voter list,” he said.
Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav said that the government should immediately start a discussion on SIR by “stopping everything else”. He told reporters after the meeting that they will not allow Parliament to function if there is no debate on SIR. The government cannot shy away from the discussion on the wrongdoings committed in the name of SIR, he said.
After the meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by 50 leaders from 36 parties, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Parliament should be allowed to function smoothly and that the government will keep on holding discussions with all parties to ensure smooth proceedings.
“In Parliamentary democracies, deadlocks occur. Everyone has to work with their own ideologies and agendas, so there will be differences. Despite these differences, if we all decide not to disturb the House. We should not disrupt the House in any way,” he told reporters. He said decisions on the business will be taken as per rules.
Trinamool’s Kalyan Banerjee said that his party is ready to cooperate in running Parliament and the government should reciprocate it. Trinamool leaders highlighted that the number of days Parliament is meeting as well as number of notices admitted for discussion are reducing.
Brittas told the meeting, “Opposition is an institution and you have to respect the institution. Power is meaningless if it doesn’t have consideration and compassion.” Besides demanding a discussion on SIR, he also wanted a debate on the Delhi car bomb explosion, as it “exposed” the government and necessitated a discussion on national security.
CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar raised the issue of national security in the wake of the Delhi blast, alleged irregularities in SIR, and demanded a discussion on air pollution. BJD’s Sasmit also backed a discussion on SIR.
List of bills likely to be taken up during winter session
1. Legislative business:
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025- To replace an Ordinance
The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025
The National Highways (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Atomic Energy Bill, 2025
The Corporate laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Securities Markets Code Bill (SMC), 2025
The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025
The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025
2. Financial business:
Presentation, Discussion and Voting on the First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the year 2025-26 and introduction, consideration and passing/return of the related Appropriation Bill