Opposition demands debate on SIR, national security in Parliament

The Opposition on Sunday demanded that a discussion be held in Parliament over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and indicated that the functioning of both the Houses would be hampered if such a debate is not allowed.

During an all-party meeting convened by the Government a day before the Winter session of Parliament, the Opposition parties also strongly pressed for a discussion on national security in the wake of the Delhi blast incident. They also alleged that the Government wants to “finish off” democracy and “bury” parliamentary traditions.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh, said the all-party meeting to discuss the agenda for the Winter session of Parliament starting Monday is a mere formality.

Ramesh, who attended the meeting, said the Modi Government has made its intentions clear by listing a subject for a short-duration discussion without any consultation with the Opposition.

“This session of 15 days will be the shortest in Parliamentary history. The Modi Government has listed 13 Bills for passage. Of this, one replaces an ordinance and two have gone through a committee of the Lok Sabha. So, ten Bills have not been examined by the Standing Committee concerned,” he said on social media.

Earlier, briefing reporters on the all-party meeting, Congress’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, alleged that the ruling party under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to “finish off” democracy, “derail” Parliament and “bury” parliamentary traditions.

He said that at the all-party meeting, the Congress demanded a discussion on national security, air pollution, ensuring the purity of the voter list, farmers’ issues and foreign policy.

Gogoi said his party demanded that there be a discussion on security in the country, including national security, in the wake of the Delhi blast. It seems the Government does not want short short-duration discussions on national security, he claimed.  Gogoi said the Congress also demanded a discussion on the issue of air pollution.

The Samajwadi Party said it would not allow Parliament to function if a discussion on the SIR is not held during the Winter session.

After the all-party meeting, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav asserted that the Government cannot shy away from discussing SIR, saying it is being conducted by the Election Commission.

Speaking with reporters, TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee said, “The TMC had earlier raised issues such as SIR, MGNREGA, but these were not allowed to be discussed. Why were they not allowed? The honourable speaker had said the Government was not willing. If Parliament functions only with the Government’s consent, then what value does the Opposition hold?”

“We have called for allocating more time for the Opposition as 70 per cent time is taken by the treasury benches,” Banerjee, accompanied by party MP Derek O’Brien, claimed.

“Allow issues raised by the Opposition, such as SIR, 40 persons (booth level officers) have expired. The process of SIR should not be aimed at deleting names,” he said. Banerjee said there should be an elaborate discussion on national security.

Asked if the TMC would stall Parliament if discussion is not held on SIR, Banerjee said, “We think good sense will prevail and they will discuss SIR we are not saying we will stall Parliament,” Banerjee said.

After the all-party meeting, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva said, “The Government has listed 14 bills; the common issue for the Opposition is SIR.”

CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar also raised the issues of national security in the wake of the Delhi blast, alleged irregularities in SIR, and air pollution, calling for a debate on them in Parliament.