New Delhi, Dec 1 (UNI) Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh on Monday sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of undermining parliamentary democracy by refusing to allow discussions on issues of urgent public importance.
In a strongly worded statement, Jairam Ramesh blamed the Prime Minister for what he described as the repeated disruption of Parliament’s functioning.
“The PM never attends Parliament and undermines it. He never engages with the Opposition,” he said.
“Yet before every session he will stand outside the Parliament building and speak grandly to the nation asking for constructive cooperation from the Opposition to ensure the smooth functioning of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha,” he said.
Ramesh added that while the Prime Minister routinely appeals for cooperation ahead of every session, he simultaneously prevents the Opposition from raising critical issues.
“If Parliament doesn’t function smoothly, the fault is entirely that of the PM and his stubborn refusal to allow the Opposition to raise issues of urgent public importance… The PM’s statement before Parliament begins is nothing but hypocrisy. The biggest dramabaaz of them all is talking of drama,” he said.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, speaking to reporters after the Prime Minister’s customary address ahead of the Winter Session, also criticised Modi for calling the Opposition’s demand for debate “drama.”
She argued that raising and deliberating on matters of public concern, such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and severe air pollution—is central to democratic functioning. “There are urgent issues.Let us discuss them. What is Parliament for? Speaking about issues is not drama. Drama is not allowing discussions,” she said.
Earlier, addressing reporters at Hans Dwar before the start of the 6th Session of the 18th Lok Sabha and the 269th Session of the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi urged lawmakers to prioritise legislative work and avoid disruptions. “Don’t do drama in Parliament, but deliver,” he said, adding that there were “many places for drama,” but Parliament should be a space for policy.
He also cautioned the Opposition not to be “frazzled” by recent election results and reminded the ruling alliance to avoid slipping into arrogance. Highlighting the high voter turnout in the Bihar elections, especially among women, he said, “India has proven that democracy can deliver.”
Congress slams PM Modi over ‘Drama’ remark, accuses him of stifling Parliamentary debate
