Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, delivered a sharp message to the opposition, urging them to stop using Parliament as a stage to express their frustration following a decisive defeat in the Bihar assembly elections. Speaking to the media at the Parliament complex before the commencement of the winter session, the Prime Minister emphasized that the legislature must be a forum for constructive delivery, not political drama.
A Call for Change in Strategy
In his customary address ahead of the session, PM Modi pointedly remarked that the country has not accepted the political games played by the opposition for the past decade. He suggested they alter their strategy and even offered to give them tips on how to perform better. The Prime Minister expressed his disappointment that some political parties are treating Parliament as a mere extension of their state-level politics and a "warming up" ground ahead of upcoming elections.
This criticism comes as opposition parties, including the Congress, Left, and various regional outfits, have united in their demand for a discussion on the ongoing Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in twelve states and Union Territories. They have threatened to disrupt proceedings if their demand is not met, a tactic that virtually washed out the previous parliamentary session.
Defeat in Bihar Continues to Haunt Opposition
Modi directly linked the planned disruptions to the opposition's recent electoral setback. He stated that he had hoped these parties would regroup after the Bihar poll results, but the crushing defeat continues to trouble them. The PM asserted that Parliament should be a platform for debating policies and national issues, not for raising slogans. "They can raise slogans anywhere in the country—where they were defeated, and where they are going to be defeated," he added with a pointed jab.
The Prime Minister's remarks were aimed at a broad spectrum of the opposition. This includes the Congress, whose leader Rahul Gandhi centered his Bihar campaign around the 'vote chori' charge, and regional parties like the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Samajwadi Party (SP). Notably, states governed by these parties—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh—are scheduled for assembly elections in 2026 and 2027.
Focus on Progress, Not Protests
Turning up the heat, Modi accused these parties of venting their anger in Parliament due to an inability to face public anti-incumbency in their own states. While acknowledging that negativity has some place in politics, he stressed that the opposition must also contribute positively to nation-building by raising substantive issues.
The Prime Minister highlighted India's robust economic growth and the high voter turnout in Bihar as evidence that Indian democracy delivers. He also lamented the impact of continuous disruptions on first-time MPs, who are unable to raise issues important to their constituents or showcase their work.
Concluding with a message for both the treasury and opposition benches, Modi expressed hope that the winter session would not be a mere ritual. He urged the ruling NDA alliance to avoid any show of arrogance over its victory and called for a session that energizes the nation's journey toward progress.
