Jairam Ramesh accuses Modi government of avoiding discussion on "votebandi"

New Delhi [India], July 22 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday accused the Centre of being responsible for the adjournment of both Houses due to its "refusal" to allow a discussion on alleged voter suppression through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which he termed "votebandi."
In a post on X, Ramesh wrote, "Today both Houses of Parliament had to be adjourned because the Modi Govt refused a discussion on votebandi being orchestrated in Bihar and other states by the EC."
He also criticised the Centre for not giving a timeline for discussions on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack, which the Opposition has raised several times.
"In addition, the Modi Govt has still not clarified when exactly the discussion on Pahalgam-Sindoor will begin in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and whether the PM will reply," he wrote.
The second day of the Monsoon Session saw major disruptions as Opposition members protested the SIR voter list revision in Bihar. They demanded a detailed discussion on the issue.
As a result, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till July 23. The two Houses will resume at 11 am on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha was first adjourned till 12 pm, minutes after it began. It was again adjourned till 2 pm soon after it reconvened, as Opposition members continued their protest.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Opposition for disrupting proceedings. He said the government was open to discussions, but the protests were causing a waste of public funds.
"They (opposition) are demanding discussion, and we are ready for it. Then why are they not allowing the House to function? This double standard is wrong. If you want discussion, then do not create a ruckus. The government has said that we are ready for discussion. You are wasting public money..." Rijiju said.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was chairing the Lok Sabha, also objected to Opposition members holding placards in the House.
"Instead of showing placards, you can submit your proposals, resolutions, and the business advisory committee will consider them. Speakers will give time, and the government will respond. Why are you worried?" Pal said while adjourning the session.
Meanwhile, similar scenes unfolded in the Rajya Sabha, where Opposition MPs raised slogans demanding a discussion on the electoral roll revision in Bihar.
Outside Parliament, several senior leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, staged a protest at Makar Dwar, criticising the SIR exercise.
They carried posters and placards with messages like "stealing of Indian rights" and "death of democracy," demanding that the voter revision process in Bihar be stopped.
The Opposition has also continued to press for discussions on the Pahalgam terrorist attack and India's response through Operation Sindoor. (ANI)