Winter Session: SIR row rocks Parliament on Day 1; who said what

NEW DELHI: The issue of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) triggered the expected uproar as the winter session of Parliament opened on Monday, setting the stage for the electoral roll revision debate to dominate proceedings in the days ahead.

The winter session is scheduled to conclude on December 19.


At the all-party meeting on Sunday, Opposition parties signalled they would raise the SIR issue forcefully during the session and warned that the government would be responsible for any resulting washout or disruptions.
Here's who said what on SIR:

NDA
Kiren Rijiju (Parliamentary affairs minister): "Opposition demand for discussion on SIR is under govt's consideration. It is not rejected. The govt is not averse to take up discussion on anything, including SIR, electoral reforms; give some time to respond. Do not put a condition on timeline for discussion on SIR, electoral reforms."

Chirag Paswan (Union minister and LJP MP): ""Over a singular issue of SIR, the opposition will wash out an entire session of the Parliament. 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 5 years to work for my people and country."

Sanjay Jha (JD(U) MP): "The last session was also washed out over the issue of SIR. At that time, SIR was underway in Bihar... The Election Commission had asked all parties to file their complaints in case there are any discrepancies in the process, but not one party filed any complaint.

Jagdambika Pal (BJP MP): "If they (opposition) create a ruckus in the House and gather in the well, then they don't want a discussion on the SIR, they want to stall proceedings. What discussion do they want on the SIR? People of Bihar have given their mandate and answer on their SIR issues."

Opposition
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Congress MP): "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 allowing democratic discussions about issues that matter to the public."

Saugata Roy (TMC MP): "Opposition will stand by their principles. There are key issues such as SIR and the terrorist attack in Delhi, which the opposition will consistently raise... We will also address the non-payment of dues to states."

Abhishek Banerjee (TMC MP): "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. 40 people, including BLOs, died. They have blamed ECI. Where is accountability from the government? We are not against SIR, but we are against the method and way it is being executed."

Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party MP): "The worry over SIR is becoming real today. If a vote is cut, then how will a person fulfill his/her dream...This ongoing SIR is not for strengthening democracy but cutting votes. On the ground, the BLOs are not even able to fill out forms; many of them are under stress...Why this hurry, when there is no election in UP immediately?"

Kanimozhi (DMK MP): "The opposition wants a discussion about the SIR, about the electoral process of the country, and protecting the democracy. That is what we have been requesting."


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