SRINAGAR: The Winter Session of Parliament begins today, with a tense fortnight expected as the government prepares to table 14 Bills and the Opposition lines up a host of contentious issues for debate. With only 15 sittings scheduled, it is one of the shortest winter sessions in recent years, prompting sharp criticism from Opposition parties.
Among the key legislative proposals are amendments related to atomic energy, reforms in the higher education sector, and new taxes on tobacco and pan masala. However, the Opposition insists that proceedings must first address the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the recent blast in Delhi that claimed 15 lives, arguing that national security and electoral transparency take precedence.
Parties including the Congress and the DMK accuse the government of attempting to “sideline democracy” by compressing the session and pushing major legislation without adequate scrutiny. They also plan to raise concerns over inflation, unemployment, worsening air quality, foreign policy matters, and what they allege are delays in granting assent to Bills passed by state governments.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has maintained that the government is prepared to discuss any issue “as per the rules”, while noting that the final agenda will be determined by the Business Advisory Committee. He stressed that Parliament must be allowed to function without disruption.
Tensions may further rise over the government’s proposal for a special discussion on *Vande Mataram* to mark 150 years of its composition. While the Trinamool Congress has expressed support, most other Opposition parties were reluctant during the all-party meeting. The Lok Sabha has earmarked 10 hours for the discussion, with the date to be announced.
Buoyed by its recent victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, the ruling NDA is expected to press ahead with its legislative priorities and use the session to underline its political momentum.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders — including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi — met on Sunday night to finalise their strategy, with another round of deliberations scheduled before the session commences.
The session will conclude on December 19 and, despite its brevity, is poised to deliver heated exchanges and a charged political atmosphere inside Parliament.
