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While the BJP and its allies latched on to the PM’s remarks to hit out at the Opposition, Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi and Trinamool’s Abhishek Banerjee called for SIR discussions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Image: PMO/File)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Opposition ahead of Parliament’s Winter Session on Monday, asking them to refrain from disruptions amid voices of dissent over a massive voter roll revision process across 12 states.
“Whoever wants to do drama can do it. There should be delivery here and not drama. The emphasis should be on policy, and not slogans,” PM Modi told the Opposition in a strong message that drew swift responses from parties such as the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, among others. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too chipped in—and a heated debate erupted, signalling the beginning of what could be a chaotic session.
Sharpening his attack, PM Modi said he could even give tips to the Opposition on how they should change their strategy. “The game the Opposition has been playing for the past 10 years is no longer acceptable to the people. They should change their strategy. I am ready to give them a few tips,” he said, accusing them of disrupting Parliament.
“The Opposition too should raise strong, relevant issues in Parliament. I thought that it has been a long time since the Bihar elections, so they would have composed themselves, but yesterday it seemed that defeat has clearly affected them,” he said, referring to the November results in which the BJP and its allies decimated the Opposition in the eastern state.
How BJP Leaders Reacted?
The BJP latched on to the PM’s remarks to launch a volley of attacks on the Opposition.
“If they want to do drama, they should build a drama school and a stage. They can perform drama on a road also, but this place is built with people’s money. Crores of rupees are spent here every day. Do not do drama over here. Accept your defeat. Analyse and work on it, and talk about bouncing back. If they can do nothing, they should go and take a class on the life of the Prime Minister. Their life will change, I guarantee it,” BJP MP Ravi Kishan said.
BJP MP Jagadambika Pal added, “The ruckus is happening in a planned manner. The public is seeing that where there should be discussions for the country, policies should be made, there they (opposition) are creating a ruckus…”
Union Minister Chirag Paswan referred to the protests during the monsoon session of Parliament, and said that the Opposition disrupted an entire session over the issue of Special Intensive Revision, or SIR. (Bihar’s SIR process was in motion when the monsoon session had taken place.)
“Such things affect first-time MPs, who really want to work for their constituencies and want to raise issues on the floor of the house. The Prime Minister’s concern is legitimate because we have just these five years to work for my people and country. But when that opportunity is taken from you, it is a matter of concern. A healthy Parliament session is everyone’s responsibility. The government is ready to discuss every issue the opposition raises. At the same time, it is the responsibility of the opposition to maintain decorum and let the House function,” added Paswan.
BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb said, “Even before the Bihar Elections, they (opposition) did not allow the house to function properly and the public wiped them out in the elections. The SIR exercise is carried out by the Election Commission of India. Why are they protesting in the Parliament? The people of West Bengal have made up their mind to remove West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee from power…”
Opposition’s Reaction
Opposition leaders were swift to respond, suggesting that they wouldn’t let go of the SIR issue that they describe as botched and want to discuss in Parliament. The government maintains SIR is being carried out by the Election Commission of India (ECI), an autonomous, independent constitutional body whose internal functioning cannot be debated in Parliament.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said, “Election situation, SIR, and pollution are huge issues. Let us discuss them. What is Parliament for? It’s not drama. Speaking about and raising issues is not drama. Drama is not allowing democratic discussions about issues that matter to the public…”
#WATCH | Delhi | On PM Narendra Modi’s statement, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, “… Election situation, SIR, and pollution are huge issues. Let us discuss them. What is the Parliament for? It’s not drama. Speaking about and raising issues is not drama. Drama is not… pic.twitter.com/rAunLwGXhS— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2025
Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge took to X and said: “On the first day of the Winter Session, instead of addressing the key issues before Parliament, Prime Minister @narendramodi ji has once again delivered his “dramabazi delivery”! The reality is that the government has been continuously trampling parliamentary decorum and the parliamentary system for the past 11 years, and the long list of such instances is well-known.”
He added: “The BJP should now end this drama of distraction and engage in debate in Parliament on the real issues facing the people. The truth is that the common man is struggling with unemployment, inflation, economic inequality, and the looting of the country’s precious resources, while those in power are playing the game of dramabazi in the arrogance of authority.”
Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee called for “accountability” from the government. “What opposition is asking is a debate on SIR. Is it drama? If raising people’s voices is drama, then people will give them a reply in the next election. Forty people, including BLOs, died. They have blamed ECI. Where is accountability from the government?” said Banerjee, referring to reports of the deaths of block level officers involved in the SIR process. Some of them have allegedly cited stress in their suicide notes. The Opposition blames the poll panel for alleged hurried execution.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said SIR, which is aimed at the purification of the voters’ list, should be conducted sincerely, questioning the government on BLOs’ deaths.
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her…Read More
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her… Read More
December 01, 2025, 13:19 IST
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