Parl meant for delivery, not drama: PM

In customary remarks at the start of the session, the Prime Minister said the Opposition was using the two Houses of Parliament to either warm up before elections or melt down after defeats and this approach had been rejected by the people.

“There are many spaces available for drama. Parliament is a place for delivery, not drama. The opposition parties are unable to digest their defeat and are using Parliament either to warm up for elections or to vent their frustrations after defeat. The whole country is available for them to raise slogans. They have been raising slogans in states where they’ve just been defeated. They can continue to raise slogans in states where they are about to be defeated. But negativity has limited value in politics and ultimately you need a positive approach for nation-building,” the PM said before the Opposition, adamant on debating the Election Commission’s special intensive revision of the voter roll process, stormed the proceedings in the Lok Sabha, which was adjourned for the day.

The PM said the Opposition must prioritise “neeti (policy) over naara (slogans)” and offered to give tips on how to change strategy.

“Some parties have given birth to a new practice of using Parliament to vent their anxieties. They (the Opposition) have been playing games for 10 years but the nation is not accepting this approach. So the Opposition should change its strategy. I am ready to give them tips. Don’t sacrifice the interests of young MPs on the altar of vested political gains…,” Modi said.

Close on the heels of the BJP-led NDA’s Bihar sweep, Modi said the Opposition was unable to face the people on ground.

“So they come to Parliament and spread their anger here,” the PM said in a blistering attack on the Opposition.

He voiced concerns that first-time and young MPs across parties were being denied a chance to speak in Parliament.

“First-time and young MPs across parties are anxious and sad. They are not getting the opportunity to raise issues, articulate problems of their areas, and raise issues of national importance. All parties should give an opportunity to their new MPs. Their experiences should enrich the House,” said Modi.

He also referred to the session being the one where Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan will preside as the Chairman, Rajya Sabha.

The Congress hit back calling the Prime Minister “biggest theatrist (dramebaaz)”.

Instead of addressing the real issues of people, Modi has once again made his “dramebazi delivery (theatrical performance)”, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said on X.

Kharge said the BJP should end its drama of distraction and engage in debates in Parliament on real issues facing the people.

“The truth is that common people are struggling with unemployment, inflation, economic inequality and the looting of the country’s resources, and those in power are playing the game of dramebazi (theatre) in the arrogance of authority,” Kharge said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said raising issues concerning the people was not drama.

“What is the Parliament for? Speaking about issues and raising issues is not drama. Drama is not having a democratic discussion about issues that matter to the public,” Priyanka said outside Parliament flagging air pollution in Delhi as a top concern.