Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has sharply criticized the BJP for organizing a ‘mock Parliament,’ alleging a consistent undermining of parliamentary institutions since 2014.
In a statement, Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of repeatedly ‘mocking parliamentary democracy’ by pushing through legislation without proper debate and using both Houses for ‘self-glorification.’
Ramesh specifically highlighted the December 2023 incident where a Bill granting lifelong immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner was passed amid the suspension of 145 Opposition MPs. He claimed that soon after, Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as Chief Election Commissioner to implement ‘nefarious Modi-Shah designs’ aimed at disenfranchising millions of Indians. This accusation comes amidst ongoing political debates surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the Opposition’s questions regarding the Election Commission’s functioning.
The INDIA bloc has been demanding the CEC’s resignation and has organized its own mock parliamentary sessions to protest alleged ‘vote theft.’ The BJP has consistently refuted these claims, asserting that parliamentary proceedings adhere to rules and the Election Commission operates independently. The ruling party views the Opposition’s campaign as an attempt to discredit constitutional bodies following electoral setbacks.
Citizens for Democracy, a group linked to the BJP, organized its mock Parliament at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi. Titled ‘Democracy vs Anarchy,’ the event featured young participants role-playing political leaders, acting as a counter to the INDIA bloc’s initiatives. Ramesh’s remarks underscore the Opposition’s broader concern that parliamentary norms have eroded, with crucial legislation passed without adequate discussion, and that the independence of the Election Commission has been compromised.