New Delhi, Aug 21: The 18th Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, bringing the latest session to a formal close. Speaker Om Birla announced the adjournment, marking the end of a sitting that, while showing productivity in terms of bills passed, remained overshadowed by loud disruptions and protests from the Opposition.
The primary flashpoint of the session was the special intensive revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls. With the state heading for Assembly elections in November this year, Opposition parties consistently voiced concerns about transparency and fairness in the process. Their demands for accountability led to frequent interruptions, forcing several debates to end abruptly.
The concluding day saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arriving at 12:04 p.m. to attend the final proceedings. Their presence underlined the significance of the moment, even as tensions between the treasury and Opposition benches lingered.
Despite disruptions, the session managed to process a significant legislative workload. Multiple bills were introduced and cleared, covering governance, administration, and reforms. However, the contentious issue of Bihar’s electoral roll revision overshadowed much of the progress, ensuring that headlines were dominated less by laws passed and more by the political clash.
Speaker Om Birla, in his address, expressed appreciation for the constructive contributions made during calmer stretches of the session but also reminded members about the need for discipline and respect for parliamentary procedures. He urged lawmakers to prioritize meaningful debate over disruption, noting that the true essence of parliamentary democracy lies in dialogue.
As the House wrapped up, political observers highlighted the broader implications of the protests. With Bihar elections only months away, voter list revisions are expected to remain a contentious issue in the national discourse. The Opposition has already hinted at taking its concerns beyond Parliament, possibly escalating the matter into the courts or mass campaigns on the ground.
The adjournment of the 18th Lok Sabha thus not only marks the close of a session but also sets the stage for a politically charged season ahead. The focus now shifts to Bihar, where the outcome of the Assembly elections will carry weight far beyond the state’s borders.
