Congress Accuses BJP of Undermining Parliament Amid Mock Session Controversy
Jairam Ramesh criticizes BJPs mock parliament, claiming it undermines democracy and parliamentary integrity.
New Delhi, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has sharply criticized the BJP’s recent mock parliament event, alleging that the ruling party has systematically weakened parliamentary institutions since 2014.
In a post on X, Ramesh expressed that the organization of a mock parliament by BJP supporters was “not surprising at all.” He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of forcibly passing bills, refusing to debate public issues, and turning parliamentary institutions into platforms for self-praise, thereby mocking the essence of parliamentary democracy.
Ramesh specifically referenced an incident from December 2023, when a bill granting unprecedented “lifetime immunity” to the Chief Election Commissioner was passed by both houses, while 145 opposition MPs were suspended. He claimed that immediately after the bill’s passage, Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner to disenfranchise millions of Indians of their constitutional voting rights.
These comments come amid ongoing political tensions surrounding a special intensive revision of the voter list and opposition campaigns questioning the functioning of the Election Commission. The India Block is demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and has organized several events, including a mock parliament session, to highlight allegations of “vote theft.”
The BJP has consistently dismissed these accusations, asserting that parliamentary proceedings are conducted according to the rules and that the Election Commission operates independently. The ruling party has characterized the opposition’s campaign as an attempt to tarnish constitutional institutions following electoral defeats.
On October 30, the organization “Citizens for Democracy,” linked to the BJP, hosted a mock parliament at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi, themed “Democracy vs. Anarchy.” This event coincided with the India Block’s activities and featured young participants from across the country taking on roles of senior political leaders from both ruling and opposition parties.
Ramesh’s remarks reflect a broader opposition narrative claiming that parliamentary rules have been violated over the past decade, with significant laws passed without adequate discussion. The Congress party contends that the process and functioning of the Election Commission pose a threat to its independence.
