New Delhi, Dec 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday opened the Winter Session with a sharp attack on the Congress-led opposition, saying Parliament should not be reduced to a space for airing frustrations over electoral setbacks.
“The opposition parties are unable to digest their serial defeats,” Modi said. “They come to Parliament to vent their anger, but the country is wide enough for slogans. Parliament is meant for delivery.”
The session, spread over 19 days, is expected to feature clashes over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. While opposition parties say the process is deleting non-BJP-leaning voters, the EC has rejected the charge, and the Supreme Court has upheld the system.
Modi said rival parties must shift their focus. “Negativity has limited value in politics. You also need a positive approach for nation-building,” he said, adding that “neeti must come before naara.”
He criticised disruptions that prevent younger lawmakers from speaking. “First-time and young MPs are sad,” Modi said. “They are not being allowed to raise their concerns or issues of national importance. Their contributions should enrich the House.”
Modi also noted that this is the first session attended by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan as chair of the Rajya Sabha.
Issuing a final warning, Modi said some opposition parties have “created a new tradition” of using Parliament to offload their anxieties. “They have played these games for years, but the nation is not accepting them,” he said. “They should change their strategy. I am even ready to give them tips. But don’t sacrifice the space of young MPs for political agendas. Parliament cannot become a venue for daily outbursts.”
