Opposition Members of Parliament staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, marking a tense moment on what was supposed to be the first proper working day of the ongoing Winter Session, which commenced on November 25.
The walkout came a day after a breakthrough in the deadlock between the government and opposition. On Monday, the sixth day of the session, both sides reached an agreement to hold a debate on the Constitution in both the Lok Sabha (on December 13 and 14) and the Rajya Sabha (on December 16 and 17). This was aimed at ensuring smooth proceedings in Parliament for the rest of the session.
The opposition has demanded discussions on several key issues, including the Adani indictment in the US, violence in Sambhal, and the ongoing situation in Manipur. The government, however, has repeatedly expressed its willingness to engage in debate on any subject.
On Tuesday morning, the Congress, the largest opposition party and a key player in the INDIA alliance, led a joint opposition protest. However, other major INDIA constituents, like the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC), which are the third and fourth-largest parties in the Lok Sabha, distanced themselves from the protest. The TMC has been vocal about focusing on “people’s issues” during the Winter Session, arguing that the focus should not solely be on the Adani case.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor defended the protest, calling it a “clear signal” to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), indicating that many of its policies face strong opposition across the country. Tharoor described the protest as a “salvo” before engaging in parliamentary processes.
The ongoing Winter Session is scheduled to continue until December 20.
