New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his customary address ahead of the commencement of the Parliament Winter Session on Monday, urging Opposition members to refrain from creating drama and focus on making the session productive. His remarks came against the backdrop of the recent Bihar assembly election results where the NDA secured a landslide victory.
PM Modi’s Appeal for Productive Parliament Winter Session
In his speech before the Parliament Winter Session began, PM Modi emphasized that India has lived democracy and strengthened faith in it. He cited the Bihar election turnout as a powerful display of Indian democracy, particularly highlighting the participation of women voters. “India has proven that democracy can deliver,” Modi stated, setting the tone for parliamentary proceedings.
The Prime Minister’s address ahead of the Parliament Winter Session included a direct appeal to Opposition members: “Don’t do drama in Parliament, but deliver.” This frank message underscored his expectations for constructive engagement during the session scheduled to run until December 19.
Taking Dig at Opposition Over Bihar Results
PM Modi used the Parliament Winter Session opening to take a veiled swipe at the Opposition regarding their recent electoral setback in Bihar. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance secured a massive victory, winning 202 of 243 seats while restricting the Congress-led Mahagathbandhan or INDIA bloc to just 35 wins.
“I hoped that with time, opposition leaders would have come to terms with loss in Bihar, but their statements show loss has unsettled them,” PM Modi remarked, suggesting the defeat continues to impact Opposition morale as the Parliament Winter Session begins.
Offering Strategic Advice to Opposition
In an unprecedented move during his Parliament Winter Session address, PM Modi said he is willing to provide tips to the Opposition on how they can change their strategies and perform better. He suggested that Opposition parties should revamp their course of action after having failed to make a mark in elections.
This offer came with a pointed message: the Prime Minister asked Opposition members not to be frazzled by poll outcomes and instead make the Parliament Winter Session productive through meaningful participation and debate.
Cautioning His Own Alliance
While taking aim at the Opposition, PM Modi also addressed his own alliance members during the Parliament Winter Session opening. He cautioned the NDA to ensure their Bihar victory does not turn into arrogance, demonstrating his commitment to maintaining humility despite electoral success.
This balanced approach ahead of the Parliament Winter Session showed Modi’s awareness of the need to keep his coalition grounded while maintaining pressure on political opponents.
Democracy and Bihar Elections Highlight
The Prime Minister’s Parliament Winter Session address prominently featured praise for Indian democracy, using Bihar as a contemporary example. He emphasized how the high voter turnout, especially among women, demonstrates the strength and vitality of democratic institutions in India.
By linking the Bihar election success to democratic values at the start of the Parliament Winter Session, Modi sought to frame the NDA’s victory as a validation of the people’s will rather than merely a political win.
Opposition’s SIR Debate Demand
The Parliament Winter Session is expected to be stormy, with the Opposition insisting on holding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. However, there has been no clear indication from the government agreeing to this demand, setting up potential confrontation during the Parliament Winter Session.
In three meetings held on Sunday—an all-party meet chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Business Advisory Committee meetings of both houses—the SIR debate formed the central theme of Opposition demands. Samajwadi Party lawmaker Ramgopal Yadav warned that the House would not be allowed to function without a debate on SIR.
Government’s Legislative Agenda
The government has listed 10 new bills for introduction during the Parliament Winter Session and has decided to hold a discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram, India’s national song. This ambitious agenda suggests the government wants to focus on legislation rather than politically charged debates.
The Parliament Winter Session, which commenced on Monday, will conclude on December 19, giving both sides limited time to advance their respective priorities.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister’s Assurance
After the all-party meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju attempted to downplay concerns about disruptions during the Parliament Winter Session. He stated that no leader explicitly said they would not allow the House to run over the SIR issue.
“On behalf of government, I assure that we will continue to discuss in order to run smoothly. In democracy, there are differences between the parties. Despite differences, the House should not be disturbed to improve productivity,” Rijiju said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to parliamentary functioning during the Parliament Winter Session.
Opposition Leaders’ Warnings
Other Opposition leaders made it clear to the government that it would be the latter’s responsibility if the House does not run smoothly during the Parliament Winter Session. This stance sets up a potential blame game if parliamentary proceedings face disruptions over the coming weeks.
The Opposition’s unified demand for a SIR debate and their warnings about House functioning indicate they view this issue as non-negotiable, creating the conditions for possible confrontation during the Parliament Winter Session.
Expectations for Productivity
Both sides have expressed desire for a productive Parliament Winter Session, though their definitions of productivity appear to differ. The government wants to pass legislation and hold celebratory discussions, while the Opposition seeks debates on issues they consider matters of democratic concern.
Whether these competing visions can coexist during the Parliament Winter Session or will result in disruptions remains to be seen. PM Modi’s appeal to avoid drama and focus on delivery has set a challenge for Opposition parties to articulate their concerns while maintaining parliamentary decorum.
Conclusion
As the Parliament Winter Session begins, PM Modi’s address has established clear expectations for Opposition behavior while celebrating his alliance’s Bihar victory. His “no drama” appeal coupled with offers of strategic advice creates an interesting dynamic. With the Opposition determined to discuss SIR and the government focused on its legislative agenda, the Parliament Winter Session promises to test the limits of parliamentary cooperation.
The next few weeks will reveal whether Modi’s call for productive engagement resonates or whether fundamental disagreements lead to the very disruptions he warned against. The responsibility for the Parliament Winter Session’s success or failure now rests with both the treasury and Opposition benches as they navigate these politically charged waters
