Tue Dec 03 14:32:24 UTC 2024: ## Parliament Deadlock Broken, But at What Cost? Opposition Claims Government Obstruction

**NEW DELHI** – The ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, marred by a week-long deadlock, has reportedly reached a fragile resolution. According to media reports, the government and opposition parties have agreed to a discussion on the Constitution in mid-December in exchange for smoother parliamentary proceedings. However, criticism is mounting over the deal’s terms and the government’s handling of the situation.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, in a strongly worded opinion piece, slammed the agreement as “ludicrous,” questioning why a discussion scheduled for mid-December was agreed upon on December 2nd, and why the implementation is being delayed by two weeks. O’Brien alleges that the government is deliberately obstructing Parliament’s function, citing a history of limited scrutiny of bills, rushed legislative processes, and a lack of accountability from the Prime Minister.

O’Brien’s article highlights several damning statistics: a significant decrease in the number of bills sent to parliamentary committees for scrutiny, a high percentage of bills passed with minimal debate (less than 60 minutes), the absence of a Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, and the Prime Minister’s failure to answer questions in Parliament. He argues that this points to a pattern of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stifling opposition voices and undermining parliamentary processes.

The article also casts doubt on the efficacy of establishing a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate alleged financial irregularities, a key demand from the opposition. O’Brien argues that the BJP’s majority in Parliament would guarantee the committee’s bias, rendering its findings meaningless. He cites historical examples of JPCs, including those investigating the Bofors scandal and the Harshad Mehta scam, where opposition members boycotted or dissented due to perceived bias, resulting in watered-down recommendations or inaction.

O’Brien urges a focus on pressing issues facing the nation – rising food prices, high unemployment, the situation in Manipur and the North East, and alleged financial irregularities of the Adani group – which he claims the BJP is deliberately avoiding. He concludes by emphasizing the need for transparent and meaningful debate in Parliament, expressing concern that the ruling party is systematically undermining the institution’s role in democratic governance.

Read More