LIVE | Parliament Winter Session 2025: ‘We must begin discussion on SIR,’ says Kharge; Rijiju says ‘will discuss’

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “drama” remark, Samajwadi Party chief and Lok Sabha MP, Akhilesh Yadav said, “Everyone knows who creates drama. People are losing their lives, BLOs have died – is this drama? The BJP uses police and guns to stop voters. Such wordplay should be avoided.”

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also introduced The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha. The Bill further aims to amend the Central Excise Act, 1944.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduces The Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha.

The bill aims to augment the resources for meeting expenditure on national security and for public health, and to levy a cess for the said purposes on the machines installed or other processes undertaken by which specified goods are manufactured or produced and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

It is being reported in the media that top Union Ministers including Kiren Rijiju and Ashwini Vaishnaw are meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the parliament.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman has introduced The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha. The Bill further to amend the Manipur Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav said that Democracy will become stronger only when the right to vote is not snatched from people.

“…The worry over SIR is becoming real today. If a vote is cut, then how will a person fulfill his/her dream…I have got information that they(BJP) hired huge IT companies located in Noida, and through them, they have details of the voter list (in UP),” he alleged.

He said that the ongoing SIR is not for strengthening democracy but cutting votes. “On the ground, the BLOs are not even able to fill out forms; many of them are under stress…Why this hurry, when there is no election in UP immediately?…” he said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday reacted to Mallikarjun Kharge’s remark on Rajya Sabha Chairman and his mention of former Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

“..Mallikarjun Kharge ji, you and your LoP in the Lok Sabha, Jairam Ramesh, the things you did, I do not wish to mention them in this House. In a democracy, we must show respect to one another… The matter referred to by LoP Mallikarjun Kharge is very unfortunate.. The language you used to insult the former Vice President and the Chairman is still on record with us…” he said.

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, while speaking on the first Session of new Chairman and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, referred to the “sudden exit” of former V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar.

“I hope you will not mind that I feel compelled to refer to your predecessor’s completely unexpected and sudden exit from the office of Chairman, Rajya Sabha, which is unprecedented in the annals of parliamentary history. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, being the custodian of the entire House, belongs as much to the Opposition as to the government. I was disheartened that the House did not get an opportunity to bid him farewell. Regardless, on behalf of the entire Opposition, I wish him a very healthy and long life,” he said.

Lok Sabha proceedings have resumed after a brief adjournment following ruckus over question hour in the House.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, LoP and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge invokes a statement of former V-P Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan.

“I consider it apt to quote the following words of Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. Sir, the first Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, during his acceptance speech on 16th May 1952, said, ‘I belong to no party.’ The reason why I am saying this is because many people claimed that you (referring to CP Radhakrishnan) belong to their (NDA) party,” he said.

Samajwadi Party chief and Lok Sabha MP Akhilesh Yadav questions the SIR exercise, says, “…Why is there so much hurry?”

He added that both in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, elections are not immediate.

“The government is providing fake data; even the IMF has flagged this. They are intentionally removing voters’ names, especially in constituencies where they have never won,” he added.

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for focusing on theatrics instead of important issues on the first day of the Winter Session. Kharge said the government has undermined parliamentary norms over the past 11 years, pointing to cases where at least 12 bills were passed hastily during the last Monsoon Session, some in under 15 minutes and some without any discussion. He also mentioned controversial laws like the farm laws, GST changes, and the Citizenship Amendment Act as examples of Parliament being “rushed through” without proper debate.

He highlighted the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, noting that the workload has caused repeated deaths among Booth-Level Officers (BLOs). Kharge said the Opposition will continue to raise issues like alleged “vote theft” and make them a priority in Parliament.

He urged the BJP to stop distractions and focus on real public problems, pointing out that citizens are struggling with unemployment, inflation, economic inequality, and resource exploitation while those in power indulge in theatrics and arrogance.

In the Rajya Sabha, PM Narendra Modi spoke about the strong connection the leader built with tribal communities in Jharkhand. He said the Jharkhand Chief Minister often told him how the leader visited even the smallest villages, sometimes without a helicopter, travelling in whatever vehicle was available and stopping in tiny towns at night. He praised the leader’s spirit of service and said they took that commitment to an even higher level as Governor. Modi added that while many people feel weighed down by their position or formal protocols, this leader never seemed tied to any of that.

A meeting of INDIA bloc floor leaders was held at Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence. Sources said the leaders agreed that Opposition MPs will continue to disrupt both Houses until the government agrees to hold a discussion on the SIR issue and the Election Commission. They will meet again in two days to decide what steps to take next, reported IE.

PM Modi, while addressing the Rajya Sabha, said that for some time now, Parliament used either as a warm up arena for elections or as an outlet to vent frustration after defeat.

“Negativity may have some utility in politics, but ultimately nation building requires a positive mindset. Many places to do drama; Oppn has done it in places where it was defeated, and will do again where it will be defeated,” he said.

Congratulation the vice president, he said that CP Radhakrishnan’s rise from ordinary background to Vice Presidency reflects true strength of democracy.

The proceedings of Lok Sabha has been adjourned till noon amid heavy sloganeering by the Opposition.

Ruckus has ensued in the Lok Sabha after Speaker Om Birla announced the Question Hour. The opposition is seeking discussion on various issues first.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed the Rajya Sabha and congratulate Vice President CP Radhakrishnan for his first Session as V-P.

He also said that “we must focus on nation building”.

Lok Sabha proceedings have begun with congratulatory messages to Indian women’s cricket team, blind women’s cricket team, Kabbadi team and others for winning key tournaments.

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla reads out the message.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reacted to PM Narendra Modi’s statement, and said that there are certain matters to be discussed in the Parliament. She also spoke on PM calling opposition’s activity a drama.

“… Election situation, SIR, and pollution are huge issues. Let us discuss them. What is the Parliament for? It’s not drama. Speaking about and raising issues is not drama. Drama is not allowing democratic discussions about issues that matter to the public…” she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that many newly elected ministers are upset because they are not getting enough chances to speak about their constituencies or raise important national issues. He stressed that first-time MPs from all parties should be given opportunities to participate. He added that there are plenty of places for theatrics, but Parliament is not one of them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that while negativity may have a place in politics, the country also needs positive thinking to move forward. He urged leaders to keep negativity in check and focus on building the nation. He added that this Winter Session carries extra importance because the new Rajya Sabha Chairman will be guiding the Upper House for the first time. He wished him well and noted that GST reforms have gained strong public support, with more work expected on that front during the session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Winter Session should focus on the work Parliament needs to think about, plan and complete, and he urged all parties to take part in a positive way.

Speaking before the session began, he said the Opposition should raise issues that matter to people but should not let the disappointment of losing elections affect the atmosphere of Parliament. He said some parties were still struggling to accept their recent defeats, and that this frustration should not dominate the House.

He added that he hopes the session will have serious discussions and clear decisions, with the country’s priorities kept front and centre

Addressing the media ahead of the Winter Session of the Parliament, PM Narendra Modi said that it is “not just a ritual…India has lived democracy.” He said that India has truly lived its democratic values, and the energy and commitment people show again and again only strengthen the country’s faith in democracy. “Along with democracy, the world is seeing the strengthening of our economy. India has proved that democracy can deliver,” he said.

The PM showed confidence on the Winter Session saying that it would play a constructive role in advancing national development and legislative work.

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan reached Parliament on Monday morning ahead of the first day of the Winter Session. This will be his first time leading the Upper House since becoming Vice President. His first day in the Chair is expected to be tense, as the Opposition is pushing for debates on the SIR exercise, security issues, and other major concerns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his address shortly from outside the Hans Dwar at the Parliament. Heated discussions are expected to take place in the Parliament today over SIR, AQI, and some key bills.

Top Congress leaders gathered at Sonia Gandhi’s home on Sunday evening to plan the party’s strategy for the Winter Session of Parliament, which begins today. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi were among those present. During the meeting, the party decided to push for a debate on electoral reforms, including the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Congress deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, said Opposition leaders will meet at Kharge’s office at 10 am to finalise their joint plan for the session.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury has filed an Adjournment Motion under Rule 267, raising concerns over the deaths and human rights violations of Booth-Level Officers during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. She is seeking an immediate discussion in the House on the alarming situation faced by BLOs during the SIR process.

Gogoi has said that the Parliament is not working the way it should, and TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee has agreed. Banerjee argued that the Opposition is not being given enough room to speak. He pointed out that MPs from the government get about 70% of the speaking time while the Opposition gets only 30%, even though in a democracy the Opposition should have more time to raise issues. He also said that fewer Bills are being sent to Standing Committees now.

According to IE sources, Opposition parties will meet today morning to finalise their strategy inside the House. Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, has called a meeting of all Opposition floor leaders. It is still unclear whether parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is not part of the INDIA bloc, and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) will join the meeting.

BSP chief Mayawati has urged for a peaceful Winter Session of Parliament, calling for key issues like the SIR and air pollution to be properly discussed and addressed. She said the session is expected to be eventful, but her party hopes it will be conducted in an orderly way so that important matters of national and public interest can be considered. These include the severe air pollution in Delhi, challenges and concerns related to the intensive revision of the voter list (SIR), the difficulties faced by Booth Level Officers, and recent tragic incidents.

Mayawati also stressed that merely exchanging accusations is not enough. She urged both the ruling party and the Opposition to put aside political differences, act responsibly, and focus seriously on ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament for the benefit of the country and its citizens.