PM Modi Asks Opposition to “Give Tips, Not Drama” as Parliament Winter Session Begins

As Parliament convened for the Winter Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a sharp message to the Opposition, urging them to prioritise meaningful debate over disruption. He said some parties were still unable to accept the Bihar election outcome and stressed that Parliament should not be turned into a site of a "meltdown".

The Prime Minister added that he was ready to offer guidance to Opposition leaders on improving their performance, but only if they allowed both Houses to function smoothly.

Modi Sets Tone for a Disciplined Session

PM Modi said India had once again demonstrated that democracy can deliver, noting that the Winter Session offered an opportunity to build on that momentum. Referring to the Opposition's mood after the Bihar results, he said they should not be "frazzled" by electoral setbacks and instead help make the session productive. He also reminded the ruling alliance to ensure that their victory did not translate into arrogance.

"No Drama Please"

In one of his strongest cautionary notes ahead of a session, PM Modi urged Opposition members to "not do drama in Parliament, but deliver". He said he had expected that leaders would have come to terms with the Bihar loss by now, but the tone of their statements suggested they remained unsettled.

The Prime Minister added that he was open to giving "tips" to help them improve their strategies, emphasising that the Opposition needed to rethink its approach after struggling to make an impact in elections.

Bihar Mandate Looms Over the Session

The recent Bihar assembly polls formed the backdrop of the political sparring. The BJP-led NDA swept the election with 202 out of 243 seats, while the Congress-led Mahagathbandhan or INDIA bloc was limited to 35. The emphatic win has reshaped political equations and is expected to influence dynamics inside Parliament during the session.

Legislative Agenda and Likely Flashpoints

The Winter Session began on Monday and will run until December 19. Tensions are expected as the Opposition continues to push for a debate on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. The government, however, has not committed to allowing it. Ten new bills are slated for introduction, and a discussion has been scheduled to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram, the national song.