Winter Session begins: PM Modi targets Opposition, says Parliament for delivery, not drama

Modi’s remarks came in the backdrop of indications from the Opposition that it would not let Parliament function unless the government agreed to its demand for a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or on the broader topic of electoral reforms.

With the government yet to come out with a decision, the Opposition parties on Monday disrupted Lok Sabha, which adjourned without transacting any business, and raised the issue in Rajya Sabha too.

In his customary pre-session address, Modi said Parliament must not become a stage for political theatrics, but a platform for constructive and result-driven debate. “For some time, our Parliament has either been used as a warm-up platform for elections or as a place to vent frustration after defeat. I have seen that in some states there is so much anti-incumbency that leaders, after being in power there, are unable to go among the people or speak to them. And so they come to Parliament and pour out all their anger here. Some parties have started a new tradition of using Parliament for their state-level politics. They should reflect on the fact that the country has not accepted these methods for the past 10 years,” he said.

“They should now change their approach, change their strategy. I am ready to give them tips on how they should perform. But at least do not infringe upon the rights of MPs. Give MPs the opportunity to express themselves. Do not make MPs the victims of your despair and your defeat,” he said.

The Opposition should “come out of the despair of defeat” and “fulfil its responsibility, raise issues in discussions, and bring forward strong issues,” he said.

“Unfortunately, there are one or two parties that cannot even digest their defeat. I thought that enough time had passed since the Bihar results and they would have recovered, but hearing their statements yesterday, it seems their defeat is still troubling them. But I appeal to all parties that this Winter Session should not become a battleground for the frustration of defeat. And neither should this Winter Session turn into an arena for arrogance after victory,” he said.

“We must think ahead with balance and responsibility, keeping in mind the duties and expectations the people of the country have placed upon us as their representatives,” he said, adding that his biggest concern was that young MPs from across all parties are not allowed to showcase their ability and talent because of the bitterness of poll defeats.

“There are plenty of places to perform drama. Those who want to do drama, let them do it elsewhere. Here, there should be delivery, not drama. There is plenty of space in the country to shout slogans. You have already shouted where you were defeated. You can shout where you are going to be defeated next. But here, we should emphasise policy, not slogans. And that should be your intention. It is possible that negativity may be useful to some extent in politics, but ultimately, there must also be some positive thinking for nation-building. I would expect that negativity is kept within limits and that attention is given to nation-building,” Modi said.

Hitting back at Modi, Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the PM, instead of addressing the key issues before Parliament, had once again “delivered dramebaazi”. The reality, he said, was that the government has been continuously “trampling upon Parliamentary decorum and Parliamentary system for the past 11 years”. “The BJP should now end this drama of distraction, and engage in debate in Parliament on real issues facing the people,” Kharge said.

While Modi has taken swipes at the Opposition in his pre-session addresses in the past, his attack on Monday was sharp and pointed. Last June too, on the opening day of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, he had accused the Opposition of spreading negativity, indulging in drama and depriving young MPs of opportunities to speak and raise issues in the House.

He had said that the “common man expects debate and diligence” in the House. “People do not expect tantrums, drama and disturbance. They seek substance, not slogans. The country needs a good and responsible Opposition, and I am confident that the MPs elected to the 18th Lok Sabha will strive to meet these expectations of the common man,” he had said.

On Monday, Modi — buoyed by the Assembly election victory in Bihar, which followed a string of wins for the BJP in Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi — returned to those themes.

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