Parliament Winter Session Witnesses Rocky Beginning
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha started the session into chaos, witnessing heated protests on pressing issues like the Adani bribery allegations and the violence in Manipur. Opposition members stalled the proceedings, thus having adjournments.
Lok Sabha Adjourned After Opposition Protests
The Lok Sabha was adjourned just over an hour after convening at 12 PM on Monday. Speaker Sandhya Ray called for adjournment till Wednesday, November 27, after intense sloganeering and protests were led by Congress and other opposition parties, demanding immediate discussions over bribery charges involving the Adani Group and the crisis in Manipur. Earlier during the day, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla briefly adjourned the session after paying tributes to the departed members. But protest overran the Parliament proceedings when the session resumed.
Rajya Sabha Too Besieged
Opposition MPs stormed into the upper house demanding accountability in the bribery case related to business tycoon Adani. The Rajya Sabha has adjourned for the day and will meet again on Wednesday.
Adani Bribery Allegations Mark the Day
This comes after the US prosecutors indicted Gautam Adani and seven others for their alleged involvement in a $265 million bribery scheme. The allegations accused Adani Group executives of paying bribes to Indian officials to win power-supply contracts. The Adani Group denied the charges, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also attacked the government saying that unchecked monopolies and cartels damage India's future. He demanded a healthy, competitive market for the equitable growth of opportunities.4
PM Modi retaliates by slapping dirt at opposition
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the session, lashed out at the opposition for disrupting parliamentary proceedings. "Parties rejected multiple times by voters are derailing discussions," he remarked, calling for meaningful debates and contributions, especially from new MPs.
There are 16 bills the government has put forward in this session, including the Waqf Act Amendment Bill. Five bills are in for introduction and consideration while 10 are waiting for passage, with the session running through December 20.
A Nation Watches: What's at Stake?
The protests highlight a deepening divide between the ruling government and the opposition. The opposition's insistence on debating critical issues such as the Adani bribery case and violence in Manipur reflects public concerns over accountability and governance. However, constant disruptions raise questions about the effectiveness of parliamentary proceedings. As parliament reconvenes, one waits to see if discussions on these lines can move beyond political theatrics to address pressing national issues.
The Parliament Winter Session highlights a critical dilemma—balancing accountability with effective governance. While the opposition’s demands resonate with public concerns, constant disruptions risk undermining the democratic process. Both sides must prioritize dialogue over drama to uphold the sanctity of Parliament.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
