Oppn calls all-party meet ahead of 'shortest ever' Winter Session of Parliament 'formality', govt lists 14 bills

Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi, Jairam Ramesh and others during the all-party meeting ahead of Parliament's winter session, in Delhi on Sunday. (Image: PTI)

A day before Parliament’s Winter Session opens, sharp disagreements emerged despite an all-party meeting convened by the government. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the interaction as little more than protocol, arguing that the Centre had already signalled its intentions by setting the agenda unilaterally.

In his post on X, he wrote, "The all-party meeting called by the Modi government to discuss the agenda for the winter session of Parliament starting tomorrow is a mere formality."

He pointed out the upcoming 15-day sitting "will be the shortest in Parliamentary history," and the government has placed 14 Bills on its agenda.

The Opposition parties are demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Delhi's Red Fort blast, air pollution, farmers issues, and national security among other issues.

Ramesh highlighted out that only one of these replaces an ordinance and two have been examined by a Lok Sabha committee, leaving the rest untouched by any Standing Committee.

He added that "it is possible that a Bill not listed at present will suddenly get introduced towards the later part of the short session." Ramesh further said, "The Modi government has made its intentions clear by listing a subject for a short duration discussion WITHOUT any consultation with the Opposition."

Alongside Ramesh, Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi also voiced concern. After attending the meeting, he told reporters that the ruling dispensation "under the leadership of the prime minister and the home minister, is looking to finish off India's democracy and parliamentary traditions."

Gogoi listed the issues his party had sought to raise -- national security, particularly after the Delhi blast, air pollution, farmer-related matters, the “purity of the voter list,” and foreign policy.

He remarked that the government "does not want short duration discussion on national security" and said, “The second is the security of democracy. The EC before, during and after elections is acting in a biased manner. There should be a discussion on the purity of the voter list.”

On foreign affairs, he noted, “India is formulating its foreign policy on the basis of other countries. Someone does not like us buying oil from Russia. Another country is investing in its defence and we are not ready.”

Gogoi insisted the opposition remained united and argued that the “temple of democracy” cannot become a platform to sing “paeans of just one person.”

CPI(M) MP John Brittas said that the opposition parties were unanimous that the issue of SIR should be discussed, along with national security, rural distress and federal issues, including how governors sit on bills passed by state legislatures.

"A whole range of issues was raised by the opposition and other parties. I also pointed out that the Honourable Parliamentary Affairs Minister is on record saying that if the subject is broadened to include reforms, then the government is ready for a discussion. We welcome that, let them widen the topic and bring reforms in the electoral process," he added.

From the government’s side, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju struck a contrasting tone, calling the exchange constructive.

He said, "The pre-winter session all-party floor leaders' meeting was very fruitful,” noting participation from “36 political parties and 50 leaders.”

He said that the government “will keep discussing with all parties to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament,” and added that suggestions would be presented to the Business Advisory Committee, where decisions on the issues to be taken up would be made.

On demands related to SIR, he said the matter would be addressed in the committee’s meeting later in the evening, reiterating that “Parliament should not be stalled, it should function smoothly.”

Parties outside the Congress also reacted. DMK MP Tiruchi Siva remarked that “the government has listed 14 bills; the common issue for the opposition is SIR.”

Apna Dal leader and Union minister Anupriya Patel stated that all 14 listed Bills were “important and necessary,” hoping for extended discussions during the brief session.

BJD’s Sasmit Patra said that “all opposition parties want electoral transparency.”

JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha defended the Election Commission, arguing that after the SIR exercise in Bihar, the state recorded its highest turnout with “not a single incident of violence,” and that critics “have been shown their place.”