“This Winter Session Isn’t Just a Ritual”: PM Modi Urges Opposition to Move Past Defeat, Focus on Nation-Building

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 1) addressed the media at Parliament House ahead of the Winter Session, calling on Opposition parties to rise above electoral setbacks and participate constructively in the nation’s legislative process.

Setting the tone for the crucial session, the Prime Minister said the upcoming weeks must be viewed as an opportunity to accelerate India’s development agenda rather than an extension of political rivalries. “This winter session isn’t just a ritual… India has lived democracy. The zeal and enthusiasm of democracy have been expressed time and again in such a way that faith in democracy continues to grow stronger,” PM Modi said.

Without naming specific parties, the Prime Minister suggested that some sections of the Opposition were still unsettled after the Bihar election outcome. He urged them to leave behind the frustration of defeat and focus on issues that matter to the public. Modi warned against repeating the disruptions seen in the previous monsoon session, where legislative work suffered due to persistent protests.

He stressed that Parliament must remain a platform for informed debate and responsible governance — not a stage for political theatrics. Referring to repeated instances of sloganeering and walkouts, the Prime Minister remarked, “Parliament is not a place for drama, it is a place for delivery.”

Encouraging balanced and meaningful participation, he added, “The panic of defeat should not become a ground for debate. As public representatives, we should handle the responsibility and expectations of the people with utmost balance and responsibility, while thinking about the future.”

PM Modi also reiterated that the Opposition has a crucial role in shaping national priorities and should raise strong, substantive issues instead of allowing setbacks to influence their conduct. He noted that he had expected political tempers to settle after the Bihar results, but reactions from some leaders suggested otherwise.