Congress discusses Centre’s stance on SIR debate, Vande Mataram anniversary

The Congress party’s parliamentary strategy group met on Sunday, November 30, 2025, to follow up on discussions with the government and the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Lok Sabha in an all-party meeting held earlier.

The Center conveyed its intention to hold a discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram at BAC. Opposition members, however, insisted that a discussion be held on the implementation of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in nine States and three Union Territories first.

Although the government stated that the electoral reforms were open for discussion in Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the Opposition that he would return to the Opposition on Monday morning, December 1, 2025.

The opposition India National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc is also meeting in the parliamentary chamber of the Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge late on Monday morning, December 1, 2025.

On Sunday evening, November 30, 2025, the parliamentary group, including Mr. Kharge and his Lok Sabha counterpart Rahul Gandhi, zeroed in on the government’s stance on the demand for a discussion on the conduct of SIR in nine States and three Union Territories.

Mr Gandhi is said to have flagged the issue of Bihar election results and claimed ‘voting’ curry (theft)”.

The meeting took place at the official residence of Congress Parliamentary Party president Sonia Gandhi.

While the Congress, along with other Opposition parties, will take a united stand on the SIR issue, sources said they will not give up on allowing the normal functioning of Parliament unless the government accepts the demand for a debate on the SIR issue.

Apart from the debate on SIR, the main Opposition party is also keen to raise issues regarding the car bomb near the Red Fort in Delhi; the national capital’s air pollution crisis; Situation in Ladakh; and foreign relations, especially with the United States.