Truncated winter session

THE winter session of Parliament stands truncated mainly on account of the Gujarat Assembly polls. Political considerations have forced the BJP government to compress the session and delay it by almost a month. Although, not unprecedented, parliamentary sessions are often adjusted to suit political needs of the treasury benches. Understandably, no ruling party would offer a ready platform with live telecast facilities to the Opposition ahead of a crucial poll battle. This session is also expected to be stormy because of several controversies including the Rafale deal, the CBI’s shoddy probe in the Vyapam scam, GST glitches, inflation and job losses. No party in power can be relied upon to give the Opposition the potential podium to stoke such contentious issues before a high-stake election. 

The legacy issue makes the Gujarat election more critical. It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state, where he was the Chief Minister for an uninterrupted 13 years. Good politics and good optics demand that the BJP should retain Gujarat. Hence, perhaps for the first time since 2002, the winter session will get convened only after the Gujarat Assembly votes are cast. Previous three elections in the state were held around mid-December either during the winter session of Parliament or immediately after the session was over. The 2002 Assembly polls were held during the winter session of Parliament. Even in 2007, the usual November-December cycle of Parliament remained undisturbed. Likewise, the routine of Parliament was respected even in the 2012 Gujarat elections.

 Due to the adjustments, the coming session will have only 14 sittings compared to 22 last winter. As it is, no legislative business takes place on the ceremonial first day of the session. Besides, many MPs, particularly from the Northeast, Goa and Kerala would be conspicuous by their absence because of the requirement of their customary presence in their respective constituencies during the Christmas season. There is an uncomfortable feel to this trimming and truncating business. The ruling establishment appears less than enthusiastic about submitting itself to the highest forum of our democracy. While the nation is often reminded of a “new India”, the government appears only too anxious to continue with the tricks and tactics of the “old India”.