Govt, Oppn break logjam; Parl to debate electoral reforms on Dec 9

The Lok Sabha will debate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as part of a discussion on electoral reforms on December 9, preceded by a debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
The logjam between the government and the Opposition was resolved after Speaker Om Birla convened an all-party meeting, following the washout of proceedings for the second consecutive day. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said in an X post: “During the All Party Meeting chaired by the Speaker, it was decided to hold discussion in Lok Sabha on 150th Anniversary of National Song Vande Mataram from 12 Noon on Monday, December 8, and discussion on Election Reforms from 12 noon on Tuesday, December 9.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi will initiate the debate on Vande Mataram.
Congress Chief Whip K. Suresh told reporters that Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting allocated 10 hours for both debates, with the Opposition’s demand for an SIR discussion included under electoral reforms. Time may be extended if the House deems fit.
Repeated disruptions over the SIR issue had earlier stalled proceedings. Rijiju had met floor leaders, expressing the government’s willingness to discuss electoral reforms but declined to set a timeline. Opposition leaders welcomed the outcome, claiming their demand was met. Congress MP Manickam Tagore posted: “Discussion on Electoral Reforms scheduled for Dec 9. One full Monsoon Session was washed away because of this. Two days of Winter Session already wasted. Democracy is not a playground for diversion- it demands accountability.”
With the deadlock cleared, INDIA bloc leaders will meet on Wednesday, to finalise their strategy for the remaining three working days of the first week of the Winter Session.