New Delhi: The Lok Sabha is set to witness a two-day debate focusing on the significance and evolution of the Constitution, marking its 75 years since the adoption on November 26, 1949. A similar discussion will take place over the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Monday and Tuesday.
The session will take place amid the ongoing standoff between the ruling NDA and the Opposition, particularly the Congress, which has disrupted the parliamentary proceedings for weeks.
The political standoff has been primarily fueled by Congress’ allegations linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Adani controversy. Similarly, BJP has raised counter-allegations against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s association with billionaire George Soros. Standoff over such issues has led to multiple adjournments in both Houses since November 25.
The Congress has been demanding discussions on the Adani issue. This has irked not just the BJP but also several Opposition allies like the Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party.
Expected line of events
The debate in the Lok Sabha is likely to open with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leading the government’s stance.
According to reports, around 12–15 MPs from the BJP and its allies, including former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Shrikant Shinde of the Shiv Sena, and Jitan Ram Manjhi, are expected to speak during the session.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the concluding remarks on Saturday. He will address both the debate and counterattacks from the Opposition. Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, is expected to spearhead the Congress’ counter arguments, likely to also focus on Adani issue.
What to watch out for?
It will be interesting to watch Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra’s address on the issue, as she was recently expelled during the final sessions of the previous Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lead the BJP’s response on Monday. He is expected to counter the Opposition’s “save the Constitution” pitch.
The BJP and the Congress both asked their MPs on Thursday to be present in the house on December 13-14 during the scheduled debate on the Constitution in India.
“Many unconstitutional things going on…”
, “We have put this condition that there should be a discussion on the Constitution. Many unconstitutional things are going on, many autonomous bodies are being misused, the governance in the country is not good, so we want a debate so that everyone can know how the governance is going on…,” said Congress chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, ahead of the debate today (December 13).
#WATCH | Delhi: On 'One Nation, One Election', Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "We will see what is in the bill. How they will do it, we will see all the things and then we will react to it…"
On the debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha today, he says, "We… pic.twitter.com/zX1CN01Pih
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2024