Vande Mataram debate slated for Monday; poll reforms scheduled on Tuesday

New Delhi: Lok Sabha is likely to function smoothly from Wednesday as both the government and Opposition sides have reached an agreement to hold discussions on electoral reforms and Vande Mataram from next week.

Since the start of Parliament's winter session on Monday, the Opposition has been protesting demanding a discussion on the SIR issue, and even suggested that if the government wishes, it can hold the discussion by making it a broad subject of "electoral reforms" as a compromise formula.

On Tuesday, after the House got adjourned, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla held two meetings - one with floor leaders of all parties and thereafter the business advisory committee of the Lok Sabha. At these meetings, 10 hours each was allocated for discussion on Vande Mataram and electoral reforms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open the debate on Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Thereafter, the debate on electoral reforms will be held.


Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 pm on Tuesday as Opposition MPs continued to protest over the SIR issue. The Speaker then held a 'peace' meeting at his chamber where parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju represented the government side and Gaurav Gogoi, Kodikunnil Suresh (Congress), TR Baalu (DMK) and Dharmendra Yadav (SP) among others represented the Opposition.

The same scenes were played out when the House re-assembled, leading to yet another adjournment till 2 pm, only to again adjourn for the day.

After the truce, Rijiju posted on X: "During all-party meeting chaired by Speaker Lok Sabha today, it has been decided to hold discussion in Lok Sabha on 150th anniversary of National Song 'Vande Mataram' from 12 Noon on Monday, December 8, and discussion on election reforms from 12 noon on Tuesday, December 9

Congress whip Manickam Tagore said: "INDIA wins. Arrogance finally bows to the unity of 240 and 100 MPs (in the respective Houses). Discussion on electoral reforms scheduled for December 9. One full monsoon session was washed away because of this. Two days of the winter session already wasted. Democracy is not a playground for diversion - it demands accountability."