Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, marking the first full working day of Parliament’s Winter Session, which commenced on November 25. The walkout came a day after the government and opposition parties reached an agreement to end the deadlock that had stalled parliamentary proceedings in the previous days. The agreement aimed to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament moving forward.
On Monday, the sixth day of the session, both sides reached a consensus to hold debates on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha (scheduled for December 13-14) and the Rajya Sabha (scheduled for December 16-17). This breakthrough was seen as a step toward resolving the ongoing stalemate that had delayed legislative work.
While the government expressed its willingness to discuss a range of issues, the opposition has been pushing for debates on specific concerns, including the Adani controversy in the US, the ongoing violence in Sambhal, and the situation in Manipur. The government has indicated it is open to debating any of these matters, but the opposition remains insistent on prioritizing these critical topics.
Despite the agreement, tensions remain high. On Tuesday, Congress, the largest opposition party and leader of the INDIA alliance, spearheaded a joint protest in the Lok Sabha. However, some key allies of the INDIA coalition, including the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC), chose to stay away from the protest. The TMC, in particular, has emphasized its preference for addressing broader “people’s issues” over focusing on specific matters such as the Adani case. This divergence in approach highlights the complexity within the opposition’s unity, as some members are prioritizing different aspects of governance.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, speaking to the media, described the walkout as a “clear signal” to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), emphasizing that many of the NDA’s policies are facing significant opposition from across the country. Tharoor characterized the protest as a “salvo” ahead of the opposition’s deeper involvement in parliamentary discussions, stressing the growing discontent with the government’s stance on key national issues.
The Winter Session is set to run until December 20, and with the opposition continuing to make its voice heard, it remains to be seen how the government will navigate the upcoming debates and discussions. The walkout serves as a reminder of the tense political climate and the challenges that lie ahead in achieving productive dialogue between the government and opposition.
