Assam Congress president and Jorhat Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi today said that that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “hijacked the Parliament of India.” He said the Prime Minister does not want to be questioned on major national issues and is avoiding accountability at a time when the Opposition is seeking open and serious discussions in the House.
Gogoi said that during the meeting of floor leaders, all Opposition parties had jointly demanded a detailed discussion on the Indian election system. He said the matter was raised clearly and repeatedly, as political parties wanted Parliament to take up an issue that directly relates to the country’s democratic structure.
However, Gogoi said the ruling BJP is “simply refusing” to list the topic in the Parliament agenda for the week. He said the refusal shows that the government does not want to engage in debates that might highlight loopholes or concerns raised by different parties. According to him, this avoidance goes against the spirit of parliamentary democracy. 
He added that Parliament should reflect the agenda of both the ruling and the Opposition sides, and not just the priorities set by the government. Gogoi said that discussions inside the House should allow space for diverse opinions, as that is essential for a functioning democracy.
The Congress leader said that by denying the discussion, the government is limiting healthy dialogue on important matters. He pointed out that every political party has the right to raise issues that affect the public, and the government must be ready to respond to these concerns.
Gogoi also said that blocking debates on the election system sends the wrong message to the country. He stressed that such discussions are necessary to strengthen trust in democratic institutions and to ensure transparency in the way elections are conducted.
The Assam Congress president further stated that Opposition parties want the Parliament session to run smoothly but with equal respect for all viewpoints. He said the government’s reluctance to include key issues in the agenda is creating tension even before the session has fully begun.
Gogoi said that the Opposition will continue to raise its demands both inside and outside Parliament. He said that silencing questions will not help any government and that accountability is the core of a healthy democracy.
