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Centre, Opposition Set To Square Off Over National Herald FIR, SIR At Winter Session From Today
Centre, Opposition Set To Square Off Over National Herald FIR, SIR At Winter Session From Today
The Centre and opposition are set to lock horns over two major issues – the National Herald FIR against the Gandhis and the ongoing pan-India special intensive revision of electoral rolls – during the winter session of Parliament, which begins from Monday (December 1).
The Trinamool Congress, DMK and Samajwadi Party, have decided to escalate their opposition to the voter list revision, commonly known as the special intensive revision (SIR), being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
These opposition parties want to point out alleged political interference by the central government in the exercise and irregularities by the Election Commission (EC). After protests on the streets, the opposition is prepared to take on the ruling side in Parliament.
This year's winter session is already brief, ending on December 19, raising concerns that sustained disruptions could jeopardise the government's legislative agenda. The Centre is expected to table 10 key bills, including reforms linked to nuclear energy, higher education, corporate law and the securities market.
On November 26, senior ministers gathered at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's residence to finalise the government's floor strategy. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has also convened an all-party meeting on Sunday to appeal for consensus and smooth functioning of the session.
A major focus for the government this session is a proposed discussion to mark 150 years of the national song, ‘Vande Mataram'. The government wants a debate on the song's complete recitation, a subject Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently revived by alleging that the Congress removed several lines in 1937 – an act he said contributed to the seeds of Partition.
At the same time, the Centre has made it clear that the SIR issue is non-negotiable on the floor of Parliament. It maintains that the revision of electoral rolls is a routine procedure of the EC and not subject to parliamentary debate.
It has cited the Supreme Court's directions on the matter, saying the poll body has already acted as per the court's guidance. It argued that the NDA's sweeping victory in Bihar reflects that the voters do not view SIR as a political flashpoint.
Despite this, the TMC is expected to take an aggressive line. Its leaders met EC officials, alleging that SIR is being misused to tamper with voter lists and artificially increase the number of booths in West Bengal, which goes to polls early next year. The BJP, buoyed by its performance in Bihar, has intensified its campaign in the state, prompting a sharper response from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has called SIR a “conspiracy" of the Centre.
Tamil Nadu, which will also have elections next year, has seen similar protests with the ruling DMK accusing the Centre of manipulating the revision process. In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party has flagged alleged irregularities in the special drive and plans to forcefully raise the matter.
Beyond SIR, the opposition is preparing to target the government on nuclear-energy reforms, proposed Indian Higher Education Commission, and the constitutional amendment bill concerning Chandigarh. Issues such as unemployment and worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR are also expected to dominate their protests.
With both sides hardening their positions, and multiple contentious issues on the table, the stage appears set for a heated and possibly stormy winter session.
An all-party meeting was convened ahead of the winter session, where the SIR was the dominant topic of discussion.
According to sources, the SP and TMC strongly asserted that there must be a discussion on the ongoing voter list revision exercise. But JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha refuted the discussion citing Bihar polls drawing the reference that the last session “got washed out" due to SIR, the sources said. They added that RJD leader Manoj Jha, however, strongly opposed Jha.
The sources further said Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi spoke at the meeting, pointing out that this is the shortest session ever as the government is “not interested and is, therefore, derailing it".
“We demanded discussion on Delhi blast but the government doesn't want it. Second, we want a discussion on SIR, on climate and our economy. There is no security for our labour. Flood management discussion also needs to happen. Failure of our foreign policy must also be addressed, as it is being made as per demands by other countries," sources quoted Gogoi.
He said the opposition is united and will hold a joint strategy meeting chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, as per sources.
Source: News18
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Delhi mandated 50% work-from-home for all offices as air quality hits 'Severe+'. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa warns of fines up to Rs 5 lakh. Read rules. In the midst of an historical air quality emergency, the Delhi government has mandated that all governmental and private
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