Consensus over Constitution debate in Parliament as parties end logjam

In a big breakthrough between the Centre and the Opposition in Parliament, MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have agreed to hold a debate on the Constitution to commemorate its 75th year of adoption. The debates will be held on December 13 and 14 in the Lok Sabha, and on December 16 and 17 in the Rajya Sabha.
The end to the parliamentary stalemate came after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired an all-party meeting earlier today.
“The debate on the Constitution will be held on December 13 and 14 in the Lok Sabha, and 16 and 17 in the Rajya Sabha,” Union Minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters outside parliament.
“It is not good to disrupt parliamentary proceedings. We appeal to all opposition leaders to make good on the agreement that all of us will ensure parliament functions smoothly from tomorrow,” Rijiju said.
During the scheduled debates, Trinamool Congress MPs will speak on the ongoing atrocities against minority communities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, while the Samajwadi Party will take up the Sambhal violence.
Sources told India Today TV that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also reply during the Constitution debates. According to news agency PTI, there is little possibility of any specific discussion on the indictment of Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani by US prosecutors on charges of bribery and fraud.
The Congress has been particularly vocal on the Adani issue, criticising the government over allegations of fraud and corruption linked to the industrialist. However, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have diverged from the Congress-led INDIA bloc strategy, highlighting broader issues such as unemployment, price rise, and alleged fiscal discrimination against opposition-ruled states.
The grand old party has also alleged that the government does not want Parliament to function as it is “running away” from discussion on issues such as the Adani Group indictment, Sambhal violence and Manipur unrest.
Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Monday again amid continued protests by the opposition MPs. The Lok Sabha proceedings were washed out last week as well due to similar protests by opposition leaders.