Vande Mataram debate shadows short winter session

The government is pushing for a discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram in Parliament's Winter Session, as several ruling party members gave suggestions on the issue during a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of Rajya Sabha on Sunday, said an MP.

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Apart from a demand for a House discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Session starting on Monday, leaders of 36 parties, which attended the all-party floor leaders' meeting, sought discussions on the Delhi blast and national security, pollution and a BLO's death.

While the Congress sought a discussion on security and environmental pollution, the Trinamool Congress stuck to its lone demand for a debate on SIR, said an MP.

The Samajwadi Party boycotted the BAC of the Upper House; however, senior party leader Ram Gopal Yadav told reporters: "We won't let Parliament function if a discussion on SIR is not held."

According to a statement by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, the Winter Session will commence on Monday and, subject to exigencies of Government Business, the Session may conclude on December 19. The Session will provide a total of 19 days.