In a rare display of cross-party consensus, Lok Sabha floor leaders on Tuesday finalised a structured debate schedule for the remainder of the Winter Session, breaking the deadlock that had stalled proceedings since Monday. After back-to-back adjournments triggered by Opposition protests over electoral reforms, all major parties agreed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram” with a special discussion on Monday, December 8, followed by a marathon two-day debate on electoral and political reforms on December 8 and 9. The breakthrough came after an all-party meeting chaired by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, where the government accommodated the Opposition’s core demand while securing space for a symbolic nationalistic event.

Congress chief whip K. Suresh confirmed the agreement, stating, “All parties, including Trinamool Congress, have consented to the plan.” The twin debates mark a significant victory for the INDIA bloc, which had paralysed the House on Monday and Tuesday morning, demanding an immediate discussion on electoral malpractice, alleged misuse of EVMs, and the need for systemic reforms ahead of the 2029 general elections. Leaders from Congress, DMK, TMC, SP, and Left parties had staged coordinated protests in Parliament premises, holding placards and chanting slogans against what they termed the “murder of democracy”.

The “150 years of Vande Mataram” discussion—marking Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s iconic song first sung in 1896—will allow the ruling BJP to project cultural nationalism, while the subsequent electoral reforms debate gives the Opposition a high-visibility platform to press its narrative of institutional erosion under the Modi government. Sources indicate the government is open to discussing simultaneous elections (“One Nation, One Election”), voter-verifiable paper audit trails (VVPAT), state funding of elections, and transparency in political donations, though it remains firm against any blanket EVM distrust.

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With both houses now likely to function smoothly from Wednesday, the agreed schedule has averted a complete washout of the session that concludes on December 20. Parliamentary observers note that the compromise reflects pragmatic bargaining: the BJP secures a patriotic moment ahead of the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls due in 2027, while the Opposition extracts prime-time scrutiny of electoral processes at a time when public trust in institutions is under intense debate.

As the Winter Session enters its crucial second week, the twin debates promise high-decibel drama, with Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other Opposition heavyweights expected to lead the charge on reforms, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are likely to counter on the Vande Mataram occasion. After two days of chaos, Parliament finally has a roadmap—and the stage is set for one of the most politically charged verbal duels of the term.

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