New Delhi: The winter session of Parliament began on December 1, 2025, and immediately faced criticism from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of breaking parliamentary conventions. Kharge stated that the government has consistently avoided debating crucial public issues and has instead resorted to "dramabazi" while bulldozing bills detrimental to the common person.
Kharge's criticism came in response to PM Modi's customary briefing before the session, where he advised the opposition to avoid creating "drama" in Parliament and focus on constructive debate. Modi's remarks were perceived by some as a preemptive strike against potential disruptions from the opposition. Kharge, however, turned the accusation on its head, stating that the Prime Minister was the biggest "dramabaaz" of them all.
The Congress leader highlighted what he sees as a pattern of undermining parliamentary norms over the past 11 years. He pointed to the previous Monsoon Session, where he claims 12 bills were passed hastily, some in under 15 minutes and without proper discussion. Examples cited included the Goods and Services Tax (GST) related bills and controversial farm laws, which Kharge said were forced through Parliament.
A key point of contention for the opposition is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union territories. Kharge alleged that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are overworked and losing their lives due to the SIR process, further claiming the opposition will prioritize the issue of alleged "vote theft" and raise it in Parliament. Echoing Kharge's concerns, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether the deaths of BLOs were also a "drama" and demanded that the Election Commission compensate the families of deceased BLOs. Yadav also alleged that the SIR is a ploy to help the BJP win elections by strategically removing voters, with the help of IT companies.
The winter session is scheduled to last until December 19, 2025, with 15 sittings planned. The government has listed 13 bills for consideration, including the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This bill aims to update the Central Excise Act of 1944. Other key bills on the agenda include the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, which seeks to open up the civil nuclear sector to private players, and the Higher Education Commission of India Bill.
The session began with obituary references to former Members of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha also saw a heated exchange between Kharge and JP Nadda after Kharge referred to former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's "sudden exit". Tensions rose when Nadda suggested Kharge should "visit a doctor" to deal with his political grievances.
Despite the initial clashes, there were also calls for cooperation and constructive dialogue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had convened an all-party meeting before the session, with parties offering suggestions. The government has expressed its commitment to discussing issues with all parties to ensure the smooth functioning of the House.
