On the eve of the Winter Session of Parliament, the government held an all-party meeting on Sunday, November 30, at the Parliament House Annexe. The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, with participation from 50 leaders representing 36 political parties.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju mentioned that discussions took place in a “positive atmosphere” and that the government is seeking support from all parties to ensure both Houses operate smoothly.
He noted that 14 legislative and other business items have been tentatively scheduled for the session and stated that the government is prepared to address any significant issue as per parliamentary rules.
However, the Opposition indicated that a contentious session is imminent, calling for a comprehensive debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and cautioning that the functioning of Parliament could face disruptions if their request is ignored.
Multiple Opposition leaders urged for an urgent debate on national security in light of the recent Delhi blast, as well as addressing concerns related to air pollution, farmers’ issues, economic security, and foreign policy.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh characterized the all-party meeting as a “mere formality,” claiming the government has listed topics for short-duration discussions “without consulting the Opposition.”
He criticized the short, 15-day session—one of the briefest in parliamentary history—pointing out that out of the 13 Bills slated for passage, “ten have not been reviewed by the relevant Standing Committee.” He also suggested that the government might introduce additional Bills later in the session.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the government of attempting to “undermine democracy” and “erase parliamentary traditions,” asserting that the ruling party does not wish to engage in substantive discussions on national security or issues regarding the Election Commission and the integrity of voter lists. He emphasized that the Opposition demands debates on security, pollution, farmers’ issues, and foreign policy.
The Samajwadi Party adopted a firm stance, with MP Ram Gopal Yadav declaring that the party “will not permit the House to function” if SIR is not addressed.
The Trinamool Congress also called for discussions on SIR, MGNREGA, national security, and air pollution. TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee, along with MP Derek O’Brien, stated that 40 booth-level officers have reportedly died during the SIR process and accused the government of using the procedure to remove names improperly.
He criticized the government for refusing earlier discussions brought up by the Opposition, questioning the Speaker’s assertion that “the government was not willing.”
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva remarked that SIR is a “shared concern for the Opposition,” while CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar reiterated calls for discussions on national security, alleged SIR irregularities, and rising pollution levels.
Senior ministers, including Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda and Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal and L. Murugan, also participated in the meeting.
The Winter Session is set to commence on Monday and will continue until December 19, featuring 15 sittings over the span of 19 days.
Key bills likely to be discussed during the winter session of 2025
Legislative Business:
-
Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025
-
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025
-
Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025 (to replace Ordinance)
-
Repealing and Amending Bill, 2025
-
National Highways (Amendment) Bill, 2025
-
Atomic Energy Bill, 2025
-
Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025
-
Securities Markets Code (SMC) Bill, 2025
-
Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025
-
Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2025
-
Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025
-
Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025
-
Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025
Financial Business:
