As the Opposition and the government try to reach an agreement on discussing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala John Brittas talks to The Indian Express about the Opposition’s demand, why there is not enough time in the Winter Session for even government business, and the need to reinstate the “quality of debates” in the Upper House of Parliament. Excerpts:
The quality of the debates, the space that was earlier given to the Opposition, the extent of deliberations that happened in the Rajya Sabha earlier should be reinstated. Of late, many of the Parliamentary tools like Calling Attention, Short Duration and Adjournment motions have become redundant. Now the House agenda is solely the government agenda, Opposition space has shrunk beyond comprehension. Almost 75% of the time is devoted to the government agenda. So you have to revert to the past when the Opposition had space. Opposition is an institution and without the Opposition, there is no Parliament.
What have we requested? One Short Duration discussion and one Calling Attention motion need to be admitted. We have asked for a Short Duration for SIR. If the government has any problem with SIR and since the Parliamentary Affairs Minister has himself told your paper that if it is on a wider topic like electoral reform, the government can have it, we are okay with that. We have formally conceded to it in the Business Advisory Committee meeting. You have the discussion on a topic which you select. It should be related to the electoral politics of this country. The government itself is saying money and muscle power is polluting the electoral scene.
Even when people say we can’t discuss the Election Commission in Parliament, we must know that we have discussed EC 10 times in the past. Moreover, EC is a creation of Parliament and, in a democracy, Parliament is supreme. So, there is no bar. Still, we are conceding if the government does not want (a discussion on) SIR. Let us have it on electoral reforms.
We fully agree with him. We don’t want any theatrics or drama, but deliberation. We want discussion, deliberation, due diligence. Let us take all these Bills that have been passed. After suspending 146 MPs, the House passed crucial Bills such as the three criminal law Bills, the data protection Bill, the telecom Bill… all having a far-reaching impact on our and the coming generations. At least the Upper House has to check. We don’t want drama. Let’s have full-fledged discussions, due diligence on the Bills. This is not for the Opposition, but all the people of this country.
Let us take, for example, our request. Our request is for SIR debate. SIR is agitating the minds of the people in several states. Yet we have conceded to a discussion on electoral reforms. Opposition is also an institution of Parliament. There are countries where one or two days every week are dedicated to items listed by the Opposition. Here we don’t have such a practice. But look at the rules. They provide for Short Duration, Calling Attention, Adjournment motions. You want all these rules to be kept under suspended animation?
The government will not allow any of the topics we want. We believe the Opposition is an equal partner of the government in the functioning of Parliament. How can these two things go together? We are not blocking any of the Bills. But if they can’t even allocate three-four hours for discussion on Manipur, a burning issue of the nation, then what is the purpose of this Parliamentary process?
