Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called on Opposition parties to contribute constructively to the Winter Session of Parliament, stressing that the mandate of the recent Bihar elections should not become a reason for disruption. Modi said the country expects meaningful debate and accountability, not theatrics.
Opening the first day of the session, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s deep democratic roots and cited the high voter turnout in Bihar—especially among women—as proof of the nation’s growing trust in democratic processes.
Modi’s Message: ‘Deliver, Don’t Disrupt’
Modi advised the Opposition to avoid dramatic protests inside the House and instead focus on delivering policy alternatives and constructive criticism. According to him, Opposition parties appear unsettled by their performance in the Bihar assembly elections and should now reassess their strategy.
He added that he is ready to “give tips” to Opposition leaders on strengthening their political approach, remarking that consistent electoral setbacks require course correction, not hostility inside Parliament.
Context: NDA’s Big Win in Bihar
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance secured a decisive victory in the Bihar elections, winning 202 out of 243 seats. The Congress-led INDIA bloc was reduced to 35 seats, resulting in a significant political setback for the Opposition ahead of the Winter Session.
Modi urged his own alliance partners to remain humble despite the massive win, stating that electoral success should never translate into arrogance.
Winter Session Begins Amid Key Demands
The Winter Session, beginning Monday and scheduled to run till December 19, is expected to be turbulent. The Opposition is pressing for an immediate debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The government, meanwhile, is prioritising the introduction of 10 new bills and a discussion marking 150 years of Vande Mataram.
On Sunday, multiple meetings—including the all-party meet chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh and the Business Advisory Committee meetings—saw Opposition leaders emphasise that the House must address the SIR issue. Some warned of disruptions if the debate is not allowed.
Government Calls for Smooth Functioning
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said no party explicitly threatened to block proceedings but acknowledged that disagreements will continue. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring orderly debate and maintaining productivity.
Rijiju noted that differences are natural in a democracy, but the functioning of Parliament should not suffer as a result.
