Ruling vs Rule: Cong cites past discussions

As the government and the Opposition continue to be at loggerheads over the demand for a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, both sides have resorted to past rules and precedents to substantiate their claims.

- PREETHA NAIR @New Delhi

While the government maintains that the functioning of autonomous institutions such as the Election Commission cannot be discussed in Parliament, the Opposition has cited several instances of Lok Sabha Speaker allowing discussions on 'electoral reforms' in the past. In its meeting with the Speaker on Monday, the Opposition proposed discussion on "electoral reforms" as a "middle path" to end the deadlock in Parliament. However, the government is unlikely to yield to the demand.