New Delhi – The Lok Sabha has scheduled a comprehensive debate on electoral reforms for December 9 and 10, following intense disruptions during the Parliament winter session 2025 caused by Opposition demands for immediate discussion on voter list irregularities. The decision came after both houses faced repeated adjournments as Opposition parties insisted that debate on the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls be taken up before any other business.
Electoral Reforms Take Center Stage
During the Parliament winter session 2025, the government announced that a two-day discussion on electoral reforms would be held on December 9 and 10, responding to persistent Opposition pressure regarding irregularities in voter registration processes. This decision represents a significant development in the ongoing confrontation between the government and Opposition parties over electoral transparency.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified the government’s position during the Parliament winter session 2025, stating that while the administration remains open to discussions on any issue, it will not operate under deadlines imposed by the Opposition. Rijiju emphasized that consultations with party leaders would take place before the House formally takes up the matter.
Vande Mataram Debate Scheduled First
The government maintained during the Parliament winter session 2025 that the scheduled discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram would be held first, on December 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to initiate this debate, which celebrates the historical significance of the patriotic song in India’s independence movement.
This scheduling decision became a point of contention, with Opposition parties arguing that urgent matters concerning electoral integrity should take precedence over commemorative discussions during the Parliament winter session 2025.
Repeated Adjournments and Disruptions
The second day of the Parliament winter session 2025 witnessed significant disruptions in both houses. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 pm after Opposition MPs resorted to sloganeering, while the Lok Sabha faced adjournment until noon as Opposition members reportedly entered the well of the House raising slogans against the government.
The Lok Sabha was eventually adjourned for the entire day amid continuing Opposition protests, highlighting the intensity of disagreements during the Parliament winter session 2025. These disruptions reflected the Opposition’s determination to force immediate discussion on what they characterize as systematic voter list manipulation.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Criticism of Government
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sharply criticized the government during the Parliament winter session 2025, stating that the administration is unwilling to discuss critical issues despite ongoing irregularities in voter lists and worsening air pollution in Delhi.
“We have been demanding a discussion on so many issues—Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls, air pollution, and others—since the last session. But they are not ready to discuss any issue,” Gandhi stated during the Parliament winter session 2025, questioning whether this represents appropriate functioning of democratic institutions.
She characterized Parliament as the “temple of democracy” where all voices should be heard, emphasizing that the Parliament winter session 2025 should facilitate discussion across different perspectives before decisions are made. Gandhi accused the government of changing voter lists frequently and removing lakhs of voters’ names, describing it as ongoing “vote chori” (vote theft).
Rahul Gandhi’s Cryptic Remarks
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made veiled comments during the Parliament winter session 2025, referring to an incident where MP Renuka Chaudhary brought a dog to Parliament. “Dog is the main topic today, I believe. What did the poor dog do? Are dogs not allowed here?” Gandhi remarked, suggesting that trivial matters were receiving more attention than substantive issues.
His comments during the Parliament winter session 2025 appeared to criticize the priorities of parliamentary discourse, implying that important policy discussions were being overshadowed by tangential controversies.
Renuka Chaudhary vs Kiren Rijiju
A sharp confrontation erupted during the Parliament winter session 2025 between Congress MP Renuka Chaudhary and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Chaudhary called Rijiju “nalayak” (useless), accusing the government of failing to run the House effectively.
“If they don’t know how to run the House, then what can we do? Do they want us to do yes, sir and no, sir? This will not work. We are MPs, and it is our duty to raise people’s voices,” Chaudhary stated during the Parliament winter session 2025.
Sanchar Saathi App Controversy
Opposition leaders raised concerns during the Parliament winter session 2025 about mandatory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi App in mobile phones, characterizing it as a threat to national security. Chaudhary filed an adjournment motion on this issue in the Rajya Sabha, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra labeled it a “snooping app.”
Legislative Agenda and Other Issues
The Parliament winter session 2025 agenda includes significant legislative proposals. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced two bills seeking to repurpose levies on tobacco, pan masala, and related products, ahead of the scheduled phaseout of GST compensation cess.
The Atomic Energy Bill 2025, which seeks to allow private investment in nuclear power generation, represents another major item on the Parliament winter session 2025 agenda. Opposition MPs plan to raise matters including equality, income disparities, Delhi pollution, and foreign policy.
INDIA Bloc Strategy Meeting
INDIA bloc floor leaders scheduled a meeting for Wednesday morning during the Parliament winter session 2025 to plan their strategy for upcoming proceedings. The Parliament winter session 2025 continues until December 19, with multiple contentious issues remaining unresolved.
