Parliament Winter Session HIGHLIGHTS: Vote chori biggest anti-national act, says Rahul Gandhi

Parliament Winter Session HIGHLIGHTS day 7: Follow all the latest updates from Parliament as government and opposition debate key issues

5:31 PM

Congress has compromised on ethics for Muslim votes, says Nishikant Dubey

Lok Sabha MP Nishikant Dubey says Congress has, time and again, compromised on ethics for Muslim votes. 

 

This has been happening since Nehru was in power, he says. 

 

4:38 PM

RSS fundamentally does not believe in equality, they believe in a hierarchy: Rahul Gandhi

RSS' project after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination was wholesale capture of India's institutional framework, said LoP Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha. adding that there is institutional capture of EC that directly controls election system of our country.

 

RSS fundamentally does not believe in equality, they believe in a hierarchy, he added.

4:24 PM

Khadi is not just a cloth, it is the expression of the people of India, says Rahul Gandhi

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, “Have you ever wondered why Mahatma Gandhi placed such emphasis on Khadi? Why did he lead the freedom struggle around the concept of Khadi? Why did he only wear Khadi? It is not just a cloth, it is the expression of the people of India.”

 

3:45 PM

Our election process is the best in the world, says Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh

Speaking in Lok Sabha in debate on election reforms, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh says," Our election process is the best in the world, and there is no scope for any improvement in it.

 

2:55 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Kharge questions BJP’s patriotism, cites Muslim League alliance

In Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge challenged Prime Minister Modi’s remark that Jawaharlal Nehru compromised on Vande Mataram under pressure from Jinnah. Kharge asked, “Where was BJP’s patriotism when Shyama Prasad Mukherjee formed the government with the Muslim League?”

2:34 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Ruckus in Rajya Sabha as Kharge attacks BJP on foreign policy, rupee fall

A massive uproar erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as BJP members accused Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge of straying from the topic during a discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.

 

Kharge launched a wide-ranging attack on the BJP, criticising its foreign policy approach and raising concerns over the fall of the Indian rupee against the US dollar, prompting protests from the Treasury Bench.

2:16 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Kharge begins speech with Vande Mataram, challenges BJP on patriotism

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge opened his speech in Parliament with chants of “Vande Mataram,” noting it has long been his habit and observing that even some on the Treasury Bench have begun doing so. He expressed gratitude for this gesture.

 

Kharge highlighted that the Congress party has historically made Vande Mataram a slogan, starting party programmes with it, and challenged the BJP to follow the same tradition.

 

 

2:01 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says BLO suicides, illnesses linked to SIR pressure

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Tuesday raised concerns over the extreme work pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. He said that several BLOs in West Bengal have either fallen ill or died by suicide as a result.

 

Banerjee noted that similar incidents have been reported in BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. He questioned whether anyone from the ruling party has reached out to affected workers. He also highlighted fatalities in other states, citing one death in Kerala and two in Tamil Nadu.

1:51 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Govt to celebrate 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram through the year, says HM

1:50 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Amit Shah slams attempts to ‘politicise’ Vande Mataram

Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha that “Vande Mataram” is an enduring symbol of devotion and commitment to the nation, and criticised those trying to diminish its significance by linking it to electoral politics in Bengal. He said the iconic hymn will always inspire duty and dedication towards Mother India.

1:46 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Akhilesh Yadav alleges ‘vote dacoity’, calls for unbiased Election Commission

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav, speaking during the debate on election reforms, accused the ruling BJP of manipulating electoral processes and claimed that “vote chori has turned into vote dacoity.” Citing the Rampur Lok Sabha bypoll, he alleged that the police prevented people from voting, helping the BJP win the seat for the first time.

 

Yadav argued that reforms are only possible if the Election Commission is impartial. Supporting the Opposition’s proposals, he called for a revamped appointment process for election commissioners and a return to paper ballots, noting that countries like Germany and the US still rely on them. He asserted that with a fair election, the BJP “would not win even one seat.”

1:35 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Vande Mataram will always remain relevant, says Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha

1:28 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Election Commission must face scrutiny to restore trust, says Manish Tewari

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday questioned the legality of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, arguing that the Election Commission has “no legal authority” to conduct it and demanding that it be halted. Speaking while initiating the debate on electoral reforms in the Lok Sabha, he said concerns over the poll body’s neutrality are now shared by several Opposition leaders and citizens.

 

Tewari called for immediate changes to the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners. Under the current system, the selection panel includes the prime minister, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and a cabinet minister. He proposed expanding it to include the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the Chief Justice of India, asserting that such an independent structure would help restore trust in the EC.

1:03 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Rajiv Gandhi lowering voting age was biggest reform, says Manish Tewari

Parliament Winter Session: Speaking in Lok Sabha during the debate on electoral reforms, Congress leader Manish Tewari said that the most significant reform in India’s election process was introduced by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.

12:42 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Nadda assures smooth fertiliser supply, urges states to coordinate

Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday said the Centre has put in place a detailed mechanism to ensure timely fertiliser distribution ahead of every cropping season. He told Rajya Sabha that requirements are jointly assessed by the Departments of Fertilisers and Agriculture, followed by close monitoring to track delivery in real time.

 

Nadda stressed that state governments must remain in direct contact with importers, producers and manufacturers to avoid any supply gaps. He added that the Centre is also coordinating with the Ministry of Railways to streamline logistics and ensure smooth availability across the country.

12:35 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Oppn stages walkout as aviation minister gives his statement in LS on Indigo

12:34 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Cong's Manish Tewari begins speaking on SIR, questions EVM

12:23 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Airlines must ensure compliance, says Aviation minister Naidu

The Civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu said airports are reporting normal conditions and that all measures remain under its supervision. A show-cause notice has been issued, and strict action under aircraft rules will be taken. The ministry emphasised that no airline will be allowed to create passenger hardships due to planning failures, non-compliance, or disregard for statutory provisions.

12:20 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: IndiGo flights recover to 1,800; normalcy soon, says civil aviation minister

During the Parliament Winter Session, Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu said IndiGo’s daily flights, which had dropped to 706 on December 5, have now rebounded to over 1,800. He added that normal operations are expected to resume soon.

12:04 PM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Shivraj Singh Chouhan addresses Lok Sabha queries on LWE security scheme

Minister of State Shivraj Chouhan responded to questions from members during #QuestionHour in the Lok Sabha regarding the Scheme for Security Infrastructure in LWE-affected areas.

11:28 AM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Sanjay Singh moves Rule 267 notice in RS, seeks discussion on SIR in UP

AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday moved a notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha, seeking suspension of business to debate the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Uttar Pradesh.

 

The lower house is scheduled to discuss election reforms, including the SIR process initiated by the Election Commission of India across various states.

 

Opposition parties have long demanded a debate on the SIR, with Congress alleging discrepancies in voter lists. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha is expected to lead the discussion today, criticising the government for allegedly using the exercise to remove legitimate voters.

10:55 AM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: PM gave roadmap for people-first reforms, says Parliamentary Affairs Minister

Addressing the press after the NDA Parliamentary Meeting, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was felicitated with a garland for the party’s Bihar election victory.

 

Rijiju added that the PM provided detailed guidance to NDA MPs on their responsibilities towards the country, constituencies, and states. He emphasised that the Prime Minister has placed strong focus on reforms aimed at improving the lives of ordinary citizens.

 

“Reforms don’t only mean economic or financial measures. The PM referred to initiatives that make life easier and more comfortable for the people, across every sector,” Rijiju said, noting that the guidelines offered by the Prime Minister were comprehensive and people-centric.

10:33 AM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: NDA MPs felicitate PM Modi for big victory in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was felicitated at a meeting of all MPs of the ruling NDA on Tuesday for the coalition's massive victory in the recent Bihar elections.

10:15 AM

Parliament Winter Session LIVE: Australian delegation visits Parliament; Education minister welcome them

An Australian parliamentary delegation arrived at the Indian Parliament during the Winter Session on Tuesday, where Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed the visiting members.

9:56 AM

Lok Sabha to debate electoral reforms; IndiGo crisis also on agenda

Rahul Gandhi will lead a two-day Lok Sabha debate on electoral reforms as the Opposition seeks scrutiny of the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls. The government maintains the Election Commission’s independence while calling for broader reforms. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu will also address Parliament on the IndiGo disruptions, assuring no compromise on safety and warning airlines of strict action for failing passenger welfare norms.