Winter Session Breakthrough Achieved. Now, Can Parliament Function Smoothly?

The parliament impasse has finally been broken after six days of wasted sessions, due to adjournments in the face of protests by the Opposition. All Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs have agreed to hold a debate on the Constitution next week. The breakthrough came today after an all-party meeting with Speaker Om Birla. The debate on the Constitution will be held on December 13 and 14 in the Lok Sabha, and 16 and 17 in the Rajya Sabha. Opposition parties had demanded discussions in both houses to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly. On the Opposition raising other issues such as Sambhal violence and Manipur, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said a decision will be taken in accordance with the rules. There have even been divisions in the Opposition bloc INDIA, with the Trinamool Congress saying they were not in favour of blocking parliament functioning.