Suspense over Parliament winter session continues as Gujarat poll battle heats up

With each passing day, murmurs seem to be growing over the delay and the government's deliberate silence on the issue of when the winter session of Parliament will begin.

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Parliament (Photo for representation)
Photo for representation

In Short

  • Govt yet to finalise dates of Parliament's winter session.
  • Sources say elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh could be reason behind delay.
  • Opposition has slammed the govt over the delay.

It's over ten days into the month of November and the government is yet to announce the dates of the winter session of Parliament. In order to set the dates and make the announcement, the government needs to first call a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs. But even that hangs in the limbo.

With each passing day, murmurs seem to be growing over the delay and the government's deliberate silence on the issue of when the winter session of Parliament will begin.

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Sources within the government indicated to India Today the ongoing assembly election schedule could be a primary reason the government is holding back on any announcement. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress are locked in high-stakes battles both in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

The BJP is looking to wrest control from the Congress in Himachal Pradesh. In PM Modi's home state of Gujarat, on the other hand, the BJP, which has been in power there for nearly two decades, is facing a stiff contest, with the grand old party showing signs of resurgence.

Ever since the dates of elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh were announced, the entire central Cabinet as well as the top leadership of the BJP have been immersed in electoral field work.

The party has prepared a tight schedule for its prominent faces, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaving the government with little time to plan the winter session of Parliament. The session usually lasts a month and concludes just before Christmas.

Meanwhile, the opposition is livid over the delay in announcing the winter session's dates. Speaking to India Today, Rajya Sabha MP D Raja said, "I have received no communication so far from anyone. Why the delay? We don't have even 100 working days of Parliament. Elections can't be the reason for holding up a session."

The Congress has accused the BJP of being dictatorial. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "This is absolutely Tughlaqhi. Are we having elections for the first time? Do you want to avoid discussions? Aren't you setting a terribly wrong precedent?"

The BJP, however, defended itself saying this isn't the first time elections have impacted a Parliament session; it has happened under Congress rule too, BJP leaders claim.