Govt, Opposition agree to end Parliamentary impasse; both Houses to hold discussion on Constitution

Vociferous opposition protests over matters such as the Sambhal violence and Manipur unrest have resulted in constant adjournments of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha since the Winter Session began on November 25. File.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The ruling BJP and opposition parties reached an agreement on Monday (December 2, 2024) to break the parliamentary impasse, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressing confidence that Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will function smoothly from Tuesday.

Speaker Om Birla held a meeting with floor leaders of different parties where the breakthrough was achieved.

Parliament Winter Session Day 5 updates: December 2, 2024

Mr. Rijiju, who attended the meeting, told reporters the Lower House will take up a discussion on the Constitution on December 13 and 14, and the Upper House on December 16 and 17.

The opposition parties had demanded discussions in both Houses of Parliament to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly.

Mr. Rijiju expressed confidence that Parliament will function smoothly from Tuesday.

Several opposition leaders, who attended the meeting, also echoed similar sentiments.

The Congress has been persistent in raising the issue of the indictment of U.S. prosecutors of Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani and other company officials on bribery and fraud charges. This coupled with vociferous opposition protests over matters such as the Sambhal violence and Manipur unrest have resulted in constant adjournments of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha since the Winter Session began on November 25.

However, some other opposition parties, especially the TMC, have not attached the same priority to the Adani row and want Parliament to discuss a host of different issues, including unemployment, prise rise and the Centre’s alleged discrimination against opposition-ruled states in fund allocation.

The TMC has skipped opposition meetings to formulate the INDIA bloc’s joint strategy during the Session.

A TMC source said his party cannot be there just to stamp its approval on the Congress’ agenda.

The Congress and many of its allies have also been vocal in targeting the ruling BJP for its alleged attack on the Congress under the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP on the other hand has projected the main opposition party as the principal violator of constitutional norms and spirit when it was in power, asserting that the Modi government has strengthened constitutional practices and principles during its over 10-year tenure.

Proceedings in both Houses were adjourned for yet another day on Monday amid protests by opposition members over the Adani indictment row, recent violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal and other issues.