Rijiju says open to debate on SIR but no timeline; Opposition walks out of RS

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the Opposition's demand to discuss Special Intensive Revision exercise and electoral reforms was under consideration of the government but no timelines should be set.

Rijiju was reacting to opposition MPs' demand to discuss SIR and said the government was not averse to the idea but if a condition was put that the debate must be taken up today itself, it was difficult.

Opposition MPs staged a walk out of the House unimpressed with Rijiju's response after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought an immediate discussion on the issue.

The minister said, "Nobody is undermining any matter which was brought out by the opposition party yesterday in the all-party meeting or the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) today. What I am saying is, it is under the consideration of the government. But if you put a condition that it has to be taken up today itself, then it becomes difficult, because you have to give certain space."

Rijiju said "the government is not averse to the matter related to whatever the opposition calls it, special intensive revision or electoral reforms or whatever."

"I have stated before the beginning of the winter session that the government is not averse to taking up discussion on anything. Please give us some time while there are other businesses, which are listed, that can be taken up. The demand, which you have put forward, has not been rejected. So, don't presume that the government is not ready to discuss any matter but please do not put a condition of time."

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the discussion should start immediately. Kharge also said the government should stop trying to divide the Opposition. "Don't divide us. If you try to divide us, we will be stronger," Kharge said.

TMC's Derek O'Brien also sought a debate on electoral reforms with immediate effect and CPM's John Brittas said the Parliamentary Affairs Minister should honour his word and the House should hold a discussion on electoral reforms.

The Election Commission has commenced SIR exercise in 12 states and UTs -- Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

TMC skips Kharge meet

Trinamool Congress leaders on Monday skipped a meeting on Parliament strategy that Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge had called in his chamber in Parliament on Monday morning. Rahul Gandhi attended the meeting.