Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman initiated the discussion on the Constitution in Rajya Sabha on Monday, after two days of fiery exchanges in the Lok Sabha last week. The debate comes amid escalating tensions over a no-confidence motion filed by opposition parties against Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
BJP chief and Union Health Minister JP Nadda will open the discussion at 11 a.m. today when the Upper House reconvenes, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah also slated to respond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver his reply on Tuesday.Other prominent speakers from the ruling BJP include Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Hardeep Singh Puri, alongside MPs Sudhanshu Trivedi, Bhupendra Yadav, and Brijlal. The debate on the Constitution has been a key demand of the Opposition during the Winter Session of Parliament. However, proceedings in both Houses have been marred by disruptions over issues including the Adani controversy, the George Soros allegations, and the no-confidence notice against Dhankhar.
Last week, the Rajya Sabha saw massive uproar and adjournments as opposition MPs sparred with BJP lawmakers over the no-trust motion against Dhankhar, which accuses him of biased conduct. Friday’s session was adjourned within the first hour after terse exchanges between the Chairman and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge.
In a pointed response during the House’s last sitting, Dhankhar said, “This is not a campaign against me but against the farmer community to which I belong. As a farmer’s son, I will not show weakness.”
Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party Leader Derek O’Brien blamed the BJP for the disruptions and asserted that the party was all for smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha.
“If the BJP does not disrupt Parliament, we want the House to run and the debate on the Constitution to be taken up,” O’Brien said, adding that the opposition wants discussions focused on people’s issues.
The Lok Sabha concluded its Constitution debate on December 14, during which opposition parties accused the BJP-led government of subverting the Constitution. In his reply, PM Modi struck back, accusing the Congress of “mutilating the Constitution” for political gain.
“The Congress tasted blood in its greed for power,” he said, asserting that his government’s policies since 2014 align with the Constitution’s vision of strengthening India’s unity and democracy.
The Rajya Sabha debate, taking place on December 16 and 17, is expected to be a heated one with both sides gearing up for a pitched battle.
