New Delhi [India], December 1 : Congress leaders on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks accusing the opposition of "drama" during the Parliament Winter Session, asserting that they were only demanding a discussion on voters' rights and alleged deletion of votes.
Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said it was "very unfortunate that the Prime Minister is saying that the 240 MPs in parliament are doing drama."
He argued that the opposition was raising a "very important issue," adding, "They are taking away the votes of Dalits, minorities, and the backward class. People's votes have been deleted. We are asking for a discussion on it."
Tagore questioned the government's approach, saying, "Parliament is for what? It is not a cheerleader's club. It is a place where we discuss the people's issues. The right to vote has been taken out. We want a discussion on that."
He also pointed to the Prime Minister's absence, stating, "He is not in the Lok Sabha today. But we were there. We want a discussion. We will also continue to ask for a discussion."
Joining the criticism, Congress MP Mallu Ravi termed the Prime Minister's remark "totally unacceptable."
Referring to the previous session, he said, "The Congress party in the last session strongly opposed SIR and requested a discussion. You have not given any opportunity for discussion."
Highlighting the party's continued demand, he added, "Now, we are also asking for a discussion on SIR... Majority doesn't mean dictatorial."
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation ahead of the winter parliament session, calling on the Opposition to ensure a productive sitting.
Taking a swipe at them, he said they appeared "unsettled" after their defeat in the Bihar elections and urged them to avoid a repeat of the monsoon session washout.
"I would request that everyone thinks about the issues at hand. There is a lot of place for doing drama, whoever wants to do drama can do it. Yaha drama nahi, delivery honi chahiye," PM Modi said.
He added, "Whoever wants to say slogans, the whole country is there, you have already said it during the defeat of Bihar elections. But here the emphasis should be on policy, not slogans."
He further said that while "negativity can work in politics," nation-building requires "positive thinking," and urged parties to focus on issues before Parliament.
He added that he had expected the Opposition to have "composed themselves" after the Bihar elections but "yesterday it seemed that defeat has clearly affected them."
PM Modi said the winter session should not turn into a battleground for frustration or arrogance, emphasising, "This session should focus on issues like what Parliament is thinking for the country, what Parliament wants to do for the country, and what Parliament is going to do for the country. The opposition should also fulfill its responsibility and raise strong issues in the discussion."
Earlier, members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) met to discuss their strategy for the nearly three-week-long Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha session.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs skipped the meeting due to separate party engagements.
The Parliament is scheduled to hold 15 sittings across 19 days, with Private Members' Bills listed for December 5 and 19 and Private Members' resolutions on December 12.
The previous monsoon session was widely seen as a "washout" due to protests over the ongoing SIR, and during this session, the opposition is also expected to raise issues including the recent Delhi blast near Red Fort, air quality concerns in the national capital, and foreign policy.