<p>New Delhi: Despite demonstrations by key Opposition parties to hold discussions on the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Bihar electoral rolls, the government remains non-committal. The treasury benches contend that the process is a prerogative of the election body, and hence, the government cannot be party to it. </p><p>Amid protests made by key Opposition leaders in Parliament, they have demanded a discussion on the issue at the meetings of the Business Advisory Committees of both Houses. However, the government leaders have refused discussions on the exercise in both meetings. </p>.Centre agrees to hold 'special discussion' on Op Sindoor on July 28 in Lok Sabha.<p>A senior BJP leader and Cabinet minister, who has been part of one of these BAC meetings, said that if the government holds the discussions, it will not be able to respond. “This will put the stamp of partisanship on the government, and we have conveyed this to Opposition leaders,” the minister said. </p><p>The Monsoon Session has been a washout till now, with proceedings of both Houses being disrupted by the Opposition over the issue. The Lok Sabha was first adjourned till 12 pm, then 2 pm and then adjourned for the day. The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned for the day without conducting any business on Wednesday.</p><p>Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury, who sought an adjournment motion to discuss the SIR exercise, stated that when the government seeks to impeach Justice Yashwant Verma, a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, it is not considered an overreach, given the serious allegations against the judge. “In a similar vein, the government needs to allow for a discussion on the SIR exercise; it does not need to respond on behalf of the EC,” the lawmaker said. </p><p>Former Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Achary said that the Parliament is well within its rights to discuss the matter. “The preparation or deletion of electoral rolls is done as per a law passed by Parliament, and so either House has the right to discuss it. If the change in electoral rolls is done in a manner which is a departure from the law, then where will lawmakers discuss it? The government can say that it has no hand in it and that it will refrain from responding on the matter, but it cannot prevent discussion from taking place,” Achary said. </p><p>The Opposition has also demanded that the Prime Minister reply to a discussion on Operation Sindoor. However, there are indications that PM Modi will speak on the matter. “It is not the Opposition’s prerogative to decide who will speak on behalf of the BJP; yet, the prime minister’s opening speech ahead of the session was indication enough that he was willing,” the minister said. </p>
<p>New Delhi: Despite demonstrations by key Opposition parties to hold discussions on the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Bihar electoral rolls, the government remains non-committal. The treasury benches contend that the process is a prerogative of the election body, and hence, the government cannot be party to it. </p><p>Amid protests made by key Opposition leaders in Parliament, they have demanded a discussion on the issue at the meetings of the Business Advisory Committees of both Houses. However, the government leaders have refused discussions on the exercise in both meetings. </p>.Centre agrees to hold 'special discussion' on Op Sindoor on July 28 in Lok Sabha.<p>A senior BJP leader and Cabinet minister, who has been part of one of these BAC meetings, said that if the government holds the discussions, it will not be able to respond. “This will put the stamp of partisanship on the government, and we have conveyed this to Opposition leaders,” the minister said. </p><p>The Monsoon Session has been a washout till now, with proceedings of both Houses being disrupted by the Opposition over the issue. The Lok Sabha was first adjourned till 12 pm, then 2 pm and then adjourned for the day. The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned for the day without conducting any business on Wednesday.</p><p>Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury, who sought an adjournment motion to discuss the SIR exercise, stated that when the government seeks to impeach Justice Yashwant Verma, a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, it is not considered an overreach, given the serious allegations against the judge. “In a similar vein, the government needs to allow for a discussion on the SIR exercise; it does not need to respond on behalf of the EC,” the lawmaker said. </p><p>Former Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Achary said that the Parliament is well within its rights to discuss the matter. “The preparation or deletion of electoral rolls is done as per a law passed by Parliament, and so either House has the right to discuss it. If the change in electoral rolls is done in a manner which is a departure from the law, then where will lawmakers discuss it? The government can say that it has no hand in it and that it will refrain from responding on the matter, but it cannot prevent discussion from taking place,” Achary said. </p><p>The Opposition has also demanded that the Prime Minister reply to a discussion on Operation Sindoor. However, there are indications that PM Modi will speak on the matter. “It is not the Opposition’s prerogative to decide who will speak on behalf of the BJP; yet, the prime minister’s opening speech ahead of the session was indication enough that he was willing,” the minister said. </p>