Parliament Winter Session: PM Modi Slams Opposition for "Hooliganism" in the House, Accuses Them of Undermining the Electorate

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a swipe at the Opposition, accusing them of undermining the Parliament and the ethos of a democracy. Speaking to the media ahead of the winter session of the Parliament, he stated that individuals who have been "repeatedly rejected by the people" were now resorting to "hooliganism" in an attempt to control the House. He further suggested that those “rejected by the electorate” continued to ignore the will of the people.

“Some people who have been rejected by the people are constantly trying to control the Parliament through hooliganism by a handful of people. The people of the country count all their actions and when the time comes, they also punish them,” said the Prime Minister.

Modi expressed hope for "healthy discussions" during the session, but emphasized the responsibility of Parliamentarians to respect democratic processes. "The public has to reject them again and again... It is a condition of democracy that we respect the feelings of the people and work hard day and night to live up to their hopes and expectations,” added the Prime Minister highlighting the need to address the concerns of the people.

Narendra Modi also pointed out the contrast between the behavior of responsible Opposition members and those who disrespect the people's mandate. "Some of the opposition members behave very responsibly. They also wish that work should be done smoothly in the House. Those who have been continuously rejected by the public, ignore the words of their colleagues, disrespect their feelings and disrespect the feelings of democracy," he added.

The Prime Minister’s statement comes close on the heels of the defeat of the Opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a heavy setback. Specifically referring to recent electoral results, Modi highlighted the BJP's strong performance, particularly in Maharashtra, as an extension of the public’s confidence in the party. "State poll results have added to the strength of the popular mandate seen in the Lok Sabha elections,” he noted.

Looking ahead to the winter session, Modi expressed optimism that the proceedings would be productive and that it would enhance India's standing on the global stage. "The voters of India are dedicated to democracy, their dedication to the Constitution, their faith in the parliamentary working system, all of us sitting in the Parliament will have to live up to the sentiments of the people and this is the need of the hour," he said.

The winter session, expected to last four weeks, is set to address several important bills, including the Waqf Act (Amendment) Bill. The Opposition is also expected to raise concerns over the US indictment of businessman Gautam Adani in connection with a bribery case.​