Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday the people of the country have strengthened the Lok Sabha mandate and rejected ‘some parties’ once again, setting the tone for an upbeat government ahead of the first sitting of Parliament’s Winter Session. While PM Modi spoke, leaders of Opposition parties convened to chalk out their strategy at the office of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. PM Modi said after the Lok Sabha elections, people in some states got an opportunity to express their feelings and aspirations. In those too, the elections results have been strengthened in such states and support had widened. In his brief address, PM Modi said it was unfortunate that for selfish political gains, a handful of people were, “who have not been accepted by people”, are constantly trying to create disorder in Parliament and disrupt it with the help of a few. “They are unable to achieve their aim by interrupting Parliament's proceedings. What is most painful is that new and young members of Parliament who have new ideas and enthusiasm are unable to speak,” he said. The Prime Minister urged members of Parliament to engage in ample debate and discussion, especially in light of the beginning of the 75th year of the Constitution. “We are in the last leg of 2024 and this session is special in many ways. The most important thing is that our Constitution’s journey is entering its 75th year. This in itself is a bright opportunity for our democracy,” PM Modi said. He added, “The makers of the constitution debated each and every point in detail and hence we have such an important document.” He said that those who have been rejected are not respecting democratic traditions and their responsibilities towards people’s aspirations and expectations. “As a result, people are constantly rejecting them. After the 2024 elections, the country’s people have got an opportunity to voice their feelings in the elections and Lok Sabha’s results have been strengthened and support has widened,” the Prime Minister said. As he concluded, he urged parliamentarians to allow new members to speak and express their ideas and also appealed to them to conduct themselves in a way that would increase the Constitution’s pride and image. The Winter Session begins days after the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s drubbing in the Maharashtra elections even as it won in Jharkhand’s Assembly polls. The government is likely to push the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is being considered by a joint committee of Parliament. The Opposition is likely to raise issues such as the US indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani and the violence in Manipur. The Winter Session will have 19 sittings from November 25 to December 20.
