Kiren Rijiju Says Government Ready for Parliament Discussion

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday expressed strong frustration over the continuing deadlock in Parliament, saying it was unusual for the government to repeatedly seek a discussion while the Opposition allegedly refuses to participate.

Rijiju said that in a parliamentary democracy, the Opposition traditionally demands discussions and the government responds to the issues raised. However, he claimed that the situation had been reversed, with the government itself urging the Opposition to participate in a debate and assuring that it would provide answers.

“I am totally frustrated,” Rijiju said, describing the situation as something he had never witnessed before in his political life.

Rijiju said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had written another letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker, reiterating the government's willingness to hold an “open, extensive, and detailed discussion” and requesting the Speaker to persuade Opposition leaders to agree to the debate.

According to Rijiju, the government has repeatedly urged the Opposition to begin the discussion, including on Wednesday, but he alleged that the Opposition continued to refuse.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister questioned the Opposition's approach, asking whether such a situation had ever been witnessed in Parliament where the government was actively seeking a debate while the Opposition was unwilling to participate.

Rijiju maintained that the continued impasse was not in the country's interest and said the government remained prepared to discuss the matter and provide answers in Parliament.

His remarks come amid an ongoing political confrontation between the government and Opposition over the functioning of Parliament and the demand for discussions on key issues.