The Winter Session of Parliament begins Monday, expected to be brief but turbulent as the Opposition demands a full discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and other national issues, setting the stage for a stormy political confrontation.
The forthcoming Winter Session of Parliament, scheduled to begin on Monday, is expected to be brief yet politically charged, with opposition parties preparing for a fierce confrontation over the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The two-week session, though short, is likely to witness repeated disruptions as opposition MPs gear up to question the government on what they describe as the “most critical challenge to electoral integrity”.
The Opposition has signalled that it may stall proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha if a full-fledged discussion on the SIR is not permitted. Several parties have united in opposing the Election Commission’s approach to the revision, alleging that it may lead to the deletion of legitimate voters and compromise transparency.
At an all-party meeting convened by the government on Sunday, the Opposition strongly reiterated its demands. Many parties pressed for an immediate discussion not only on the SIR but also on issues of national security following the recent blast in Delhi, the alarming levels of air pollution in the national capital, and various economic challenges.
Leaders emphasised that foreign policy concerns, rising prices, unemployment, delays in implementing the new labour codes, and questions about federalism must also be addressed in this winter session. Some opposition parties further accused governors of withholding bills passed by state legislatures and expressed concern about the alleged withholding of funds from states ruled by opposition parties.
The government appealed to all parties to cooperate and ensure the smooth functioning of the session. However, tensions persisted at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meetings of both Houses, where opposition members demanded a broader discussion on electoral reforms instead of a limited focus on SIR. Government representatives responded that they would communicate their position shortly.
Meanwhile, the government attempted to push for a parliamentary discussion on Vande Mataram and the 150th anniversary of its composition. However, several opposition parties expressed little enthusiasm for prioritising that debate during a session loaded with pressing national concerns.
On the legislative front, the Lok Sabha has listed the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025 for consideration on Monday, with three hours allocated for discussion. In addition, the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025—which proposes a cess to boost funding for national security and public health—are lined up for introduction.
Opposition leaders remain firm in their stance that Monday’s proceedings should begin with a discussion on the SIR at 2 p.m. However, the government has shown no sign of agreeing to that timetable. “If Parliament is disrupted, it will be entirely the government’s responsibility,” CPI(M) MP John Brittas said.
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee reiterated his party’s readiness to cooperate, but only if the ruling benches show equal willingness. “The government should allow a discussion on SIR. Forty persons have already lost their lives while conducting SIR,” Banerjee said, accusing the Election Commission of attempting to delete voters through the exercise. He added that the Opposition expects “good sense to prevail” so that Parliament can function smoothly.
Beyond the immediate political tension, the Winter Session is poised to showcase the government’s reform agenda. Key among its proposed legislations is the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, which seeks to open the civil nuclear sector to private players, and the much-anticipated bill to establish the Higher Education Commission of India, intended to overhaul regulatory frameworks in higher education.
Another major proposal is the Securities Markets Code Bill (SMC), 2025, aimed at consolidating three major market-related laws—the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act (1992), the Depositories Act (1996), and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act (1956)—into one streamlined regulatory code to strengthen India’s financial markets.
The ruling NDA government is expected to table around 14 legislations during the fortnight-long sitting. This will be the first parliamentary session after the alliance’s resounding victory in the Bihar Assembly elections. Despite its renewed political momentum, the government faced criticism after deciding to drop its proposal for a Constitution amendment that would have granted the President greater authority to directly legislate for the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
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With political stakes high and tensions escalating around electoral reforms, the Winter Session is likely to unfold as a contentious battleground, testing the government’s ability to navigate legislative priorities amid a united and assertive Opposition.
