The Winter Session of Parliament, which commenced on December 1, 2025, faced immediate disruptions as the Opposition vociferously demanded a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This led to repeated adjournments in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, effectively stalling parliamentary proceedings for two days. The opposition's primary concern stemmed from what they perceived as a lack of floor time to address critical issues.
The logjam centered on the Opposition's insistence on discussing the SIR, an ongoing review of electoral rolls in several states and Union Territories. They alleged irregularities and sought immediate parliamentary debate. The government, while expressing willingness to discuss electoral reforms in general, initially resisted dedicating specific time to the SIR, calling it an administrative matter handled by the Election Commission. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged the opposition not to insist on a specific timeline or obstruct other business, emphasizing that Parliament must function according to established rules. He also remarked that the opposition was creating a ruckus because of the anger of losing elections.
The breakthrough came after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla convened a meeting with party leaders. Following the meeting, it was decided that the Lok Sabha would hold a 10-hour discussion on electoral reforms on December 9 and 10. This agreement addressed the Opposition's demand for parliamentary time to discuss electoral issues, paving the way for smoother functioning of the House.
The resolution was met with relief from the Opposition, who had feared a complete loss of opportunity to raise crucial questions and hold the government accountable. Several opposition leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, had staged protests within the Parliament House complex, underscoring the intensity of their concerns. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated that the government was not ready to hold discussions on any of the issues such as the SIR and air pollution.
With the agreement in place, the Lok Sabha is also scheduled to discuss the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram on December 8. Kiren Rijiju expressed optimism for a constructive and engaging discussion on electoral reforms, now that a date and time have been finalized. He clarified that the government is open to discussing broader election commission reforms because Parliament is responsible for making laws.
The initial days of the Winter Session underscored the importance of dialogue and compromise in parliamentary democracy. While disagreements persist, the agreement to dedicate time for discussing electoral reforms has de-escalated tensions and allowed the Parliament to proceed with its legislative agenda. The session is scheduled to conclude on December 19, with 14 items of legislative and other business to be taken up.
