New Delhi witnessed a crucial all-party meeting on Sunday ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, setting the stage for what promises to be a contentious legislative period. The Opposition coalition presented a united front, demanding comprehensive discussions on several pressing national issues while raising serious concerns about the government's approach to democratic processes.
Key Opposition Demands and Concerns
The meeting, chaired by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, saw strong representation from both the ruling party and opposition benches. Union ministers including Rajnath Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and JP Nadda attended the government side, while opposition leaders such as Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, TMC's Kalyan Banerjee, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, and AIADMK's M Thambi Durai represented their parties.
Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi articulated the opposition's primary concerns, stating that the government appears to be undermining India's democratic traditions. "It seems the government, under the leadership of the prime minister and the home minister, is looking to finish off India's democracy and parliamentary traditions," he asserted during the meeting.
The opposition has specifically demanded discussions on:
- National security following the recent Delhi blast
- The controversial "SIR" issue
- Rising air pollution levels in Delhi and other states
- Farmers' concerns and fair pricing issues
- Safeguarding democratic institutions
- Recent foreign policy developments
Government's Response and Legislative Agenda
Following the all-party meeting, Kiren Rijiju addressed media concerns about parliamentary functioning during the upcoming session. He emphasized the government's openness to discussions while stressing the importance of following parliamentary rules and conventions.
"No one said that the Parliament will not function or will not let it function. Some leaders said that they can create a ruckus in the House over SIR. I am saying this in a positive manner that we are ready to listen to the opposition... Parliament belongs to everyone; it belongs to the country. There is a method to discuss every issue in the Parliament," Rijiju stated.
The Winter Session, scheduled to run from December 1 to December 19 with 15 sittings, features a substantial legislative agenda including:
- The Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025
- The Manipur GST (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025
- The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
- The Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025
- Maritime sector reform bills
Opposition Unity and Strategic Planning
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari highlighted the opposition's coordinated approach, noting their strategic meeting scheduled for 6 PM on Sunday, following the Business Advisory Committee meeting at 4 PM. He expressed skepticism about the government's agenda while underscoring the opposition's determination to raise critical issues.
"The SIR was conducted across the entire state in a very short span of time, which is impossible... Blasts have occurred in the capital. Prime Minister Modi's foreign policies are completely lost. In addition, air pollution in Delhi and other states must be discussed in detail," Tiwari emphasized.
The opposition's unity was further demonstrated by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, who confirmed that all opposition parties unanimously demanded discussion on the SIR issue. CPI-M MP John Brittas added that the Delhi blast had exposed government failures on security matters, warning that any parliamentary disruptions would be the government's responsibility.
As Parliament prepares to convene, the stage is set for intense debates on national security, economic policies, and democratic safeguards, with both government and opposition positions clearly defined during this crucial pre-session meeting.
