NEW DELHI, Dec 2: The Lok Sabha will take up a debate on the 150th anniversary of National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ on Monday and on electoral reforms on Tuesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
The decision was taken after an all-party meeting and a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, signalling that the logjam prevailing in both Houses over the opposition’s demand to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is likely to be broken.
“During the All Party Meeting Chaired by Speaker Lok Sabha today, it has been decided to hold discussion in Lok Sabha on 150th Anniversary of National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ from 12 Noon on Monday 8th December and discussion on Election Reforms from 12 noon on Tuesday 9th December,” Rijiju said in a post on X.
Later, addressing the media, Rijiju said, “I am happy that the all-party floor leaders’ meeting called by the Speaker was very fruitful and we all agreed that there will be a special discussion on the 150th anniversary of National Song Vande Mataram on Monday. The discussion will start at 12 noon and go on for the full day. It was also agreed that on Tuesday, 9th December, there will be a discussion on election reforms.” “When we discuss reforms in elections, you can discuss and talk about many issues related to elections and their process in our country. For a parliamentary democracy, the election process is extremely important. So, finally, everybody has agreed to the discussion and my special appeal to all the members, especially the opposition parties, is to cooperate fully with the decision taken. We all will take part,” he said.
Rijiju said after both the discussions are over, “we will propose to take it up in the Rajya Sabha”.
OPP TO MEET TODAY TO DECIDE ON STRATEGY
Floor leaders from various opposition parties will meet on Wednesday morning in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, to discuss their joint strategy in Parliament.
Sources said the opposition leaders will convene at 9.45 am to plan their approach during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.
The Trinamool Congress did not participate in a meeting of opposition parties held on Monday, which aimed to develop a collective strategy for the first day of the winter session.
Various parties have been protesting in Parliament, demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, but the government declined to hold an immediate discussion on this matter.
OPP INDULGING IN DRAMA: SITHARAMAN
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday accused the Opposition of shedding crocodile tears on Manipur and indulging in ‘drama’ over the grievances of people of the state.
Her attack came during her reply to a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, extending GST benefits to the state through a bill.Sitharaman accused the Opposition of not participating in the discussion on the bill that sought to replace an Ordinance in this regard.
The Opposition had earlier staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha after the Chair rejected their demand for a discussion on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
Responding to the debate on the bill, Sitharaman said before she goes into the details she wanted to say something about the Opposition.
“So throughout, we saw them shedding crocodile tears about Manipur for everything….Everytime on Manipur, they will raise issues and shed crocodile tears,” she claimed.
“Did the prime minister visit? Did the home minister visit? Did the law and order come to normalcy? Every time about Manipur they will raise issues. They will voice their grievance. Total crocodile tears,” she said.
The Finance Minister said when the budget for Manipur came up earlier, the Opposition did not participate in the debate on the bill even at that time. (PTI)
