Parliament Picture Credit: Vinay Panjwani, Moving Pixels
Parliament is preparing for an in-depth discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the broader framework of electoral reforms, marking a breakthrough after a week-long impasse that had paralysed proceedings.
The development follows sustained negotiations between the Treasury and the Opposition benches, resulting in an all-party consensus to take up the matter in both Houses.
A meeting chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla finalised the business for the day, allocating a complete session in the Lok Sabha to examine electoral reform proposals.
The Opposition had been demanding a structured debate on the SIR exercise since the Winter Session commenced on 1 December.
The SIR process, which the Opposition alleges has disproportionately affected marginalised groups, has sparked heated confrontations, leading to repeated adjournments. The forthcoming debate aims to address these concerns in a formal setting.
Rajya Sabha Schedule: Amit Shah to Open Debate
In the Upper House, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will open the debate on December 9 and 10. The schedule provides a total of ten hours for deliberation on the SIR and related matters.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is slated to respond to the discussion, with Leader of the House JP Nadda also expected to contribute.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha will resume the debate that Opposition MPs have consistently pressed for.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi will lead the arguments from the Opposition benches, with Meghwal set to deliver the government’s reply on Wednesday.
The move comes after prominent figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi held demonstrations inside and outside Parliament, brandishing placards reading ‘Stop SIR – Stop Vote Chori’, to protest alleged irregularities in the revision exercise.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed in a post on X that the all-party meeting agreed on holding discussions on electoral reforms and the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
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