Kharge, Sonia, Rahul join protest
NEW DELHI, Dec 2:
With vociferous Opposition protests over the SIR stalling Parliament proceedings for a second day, the Government on Tuesday told both Houses that it has invited leaders from various parties for talks to end the stalemate, but stressed that no timeline be set for the discussion.
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Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Government was willing to discuss any issue and had invited leaders from various parties for a dialogue, but asserted that the proceedings cannot be disrupted over one demand.
One issue cannot outweigh others at a time when members of smaller parties also want to discuss matters important to them, he said amid slogan shouting by Opposition MPs demanding a debate on the special intensive revision (SIR) of the voters’ list in nine states and three Union Territories.
“Two to four parties are disrupting the House… In a democracy, people win and lose. They should not vent their anger like this… By doing this, you are losing the trust of the people,” Rijiju said.
Making similar remarks in Rajya Sabha, Rijiju said he will engage with leaders from various parties and begin consultations on the issue, but stressed that they should not impose a timeline on the process.
“…please don’t put a timeline condition on anything. I am going to engage with leaders of various political parties, it may be formally or informally. Ultimately, it will come to you when we start the consultations,” he said.
Meanwhile, several opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday staged a protest in the Parliament House complex against the SIR and demanded a discussion on electoral reforms.
The leaders held posters and placards against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. They also had a huge banner which read ‘Stop SIR-Stop Vote Chori’ and raised slogans against the Government.
Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, DMK’s K Kanhimozhi, and T R Baalu were among the opposition leaders protesting in front of Parliament’s Makar Dwar.
Earlier, relentless protest by the Opposition demanding a debate on SIR led to the adjournment of Lok Sabha proceedings for the day on Tuesday.
After two adjournments earlier in the day, the House met again at 2 pm amid sloganeering by the Opposition members.
Dilip Saikia who was presiding over the House, urged the Opposition to allow the House to function as the government was willing to discuss the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in nine states and three Union territories.
He reminded the members that the SIR exercise has already been completed in Bihar and results are evident.
The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was listed for consideration and passage in Lok Sabha but could not be taken up due to disruption.
Earlier during the Zero Hour, which went on for around 10 minutes, various papers and standing committees’ reports were laid on the table of the House.
In Rajya Sabha, Opposition parties demanded that the discussion should be held on SIR by giving it priority over other business.
As the Government refused to give preference to the debate on SIR, opposition MPs raised slogans in the Upper House and later staged a walkout.
Pressing for a discussion on SIR, leaders from Congress, TMC, DMK, AAP, SP and CPI(M) had met Rijiju on Tuesday. They had demanded that the government announce the time for a debate on electoral reforms on the floor of the House.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said many parties have demanded a discussion under Rule 267, and it should get priority over other business.
“We have demanded for discussion under Rule 267… What the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, whatever the agenda is, it should get priority. Rule 267 says all other issues should be kept aside and first preference should be given… Otherwise, there is no reason to give Rule 267 notice…” Kharge said.
“Keeping aside all other businesses, the House should take up Rule 267 discussion.. You give us permission to take up discussion on SIR under Rule 267,” he said.
The Congress leader added, “Vande Mataram comes from us not from them”.
Chairman CP Radhakrishnana however said, “Vande Mataram is for everyone”.
The Chairman said the government has assured that a discussion would be held.
“Let the Government decide, they will come back…” Radhakrishnan said.
As the Chairman proceeded with other business, Opposition leaders started raising slogans demanding a discussion on the SIR issue.
Opposition MPs then staged a walkout from the House. (PTI)
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