Monsoon Session 2025: A Political Storm Brewing in Parliament
New Delhi 20 July: The Monsoon Session of Parliament, set to commence on July 21, 2025, and conclude on August 21, 2025, promises to be a battleground for heated debates and political confrontations. With the Bihar Assembly elections looming and a slew of contentious issues dominating the national discourse, the opposition, led by Congress, is gearing up to corner the BJP-led NDA government. From the voter list controversy in Bihar to the fallout of Operation Sindoor, the session is poised to witness unprecedented fireworks. This special report delves into the key issues, Congress’s strategy, and whether this session will indeed pose a formidable challenge for the BJP.
Key Issues Set to Dominate the Monsoon Session
The Monsoon Session comes on the heels of significant developments since the Budget Session in March-April 2025. Several incidents have fueled public and political outrage, giving the opposition ample ammunition to challenge the government. Here’s a look at the major issues likely to take center stage:
1. Bihar Voter List Controversy: A Threat to Democratic Integrity?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections, scheduled for October or November. The ECI claims this exercise, the first since 2003, is necessary to address issues like duplication, urbanization, unreported deaths, and the inclusion of alleged illegal migrants from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar. However, the opposition, including Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has accused the ECI of attempting to suppress votes, alleging that up to 15-20% of voters could be removed from the rolls.
Congress leader Alok Sharma has called this move “the biggest stain on Indian democracy,” questioning the timing and transparency of the process. The opposition’s protests, including a Bihar Bandh on July 9, 2025, led by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, reflect the intensity of the issue. The Supreme Court’s decision to hear challenges to the SIR on July 10, 2025, further escalates the matter, with activists like Yogendra Yadav arguing that it violates the universal right to adult suffrage under Article 326 of the Constitution.
2. Operation Sindoor and Foreign Policy Fumbles
Operation Sindoor, a high-profile government initiative, has become a lightning rod for criticism. Congress alleges that the operation was used to garner votes but failed to secure international support, with no country openly endorsing India’s actions. Alok Sharma has accused the government of mishandling foreign policy, pointing to deteriorating relations with neighbors and a lack of clarity on U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering a ceasefire. The opposition plans to press the government on its diplomatic stance and the operation’s outcomes.
3. Pahalgam Attack: Unanswered Questions
Ninety days after the devastating Pahalgam attack, the opposition is set to grill the government over its failure to identify the perpetrators or their whereabouts. This security lapse is likely to be a focal point, with Congress demanding accountability for what it calls a significant intelligence failure.
4. Rising Crime in Bihar: A Law and Order Crisis
Bihar’s deteriorating law and order situation is another major issue. The brazen murder of gangster Chandan Mishra in Patna’s Paras Hospital, just 2 km from the police headquarters, and a daylight massacre in Siwan have raised serious questions about the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government’s grip on crime. The opposition, particularly RJD and Congress, is expected to highlight these incidents to paint the BJP and its ally, JD(U), as ineffective in maintaining public safety.
5. UP’s Itwa Incident: Brahmin vs. Yadav Tensions
In Uttar Pradesh, the Itwa incident has sparked a Brahmin-Yadav face-off, adding a caste dimension to the political discourse. The Samajwadi Party (SP) is likely to raise this issue in Parliament, accusing the BJP of mishandling caste-based conflicts. Additionally, the closure of schools in UP, linked to the controversial “Madhushala vs. Pathshala” debate, could see both SP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanding answers from the government.
6. Gujarat Bridge Collapse: Infrastructure Woes
The recent collapse of a bridge in Gujarat has drawn attention to the state’s infrastructure challenges, with the opposition likely to question the BJP’s governance in its stronghold. This incident, coupled with the Air India plane crash, will be used to highlight perceived administrative failures.
Congress’s Strategy: A Multi-Pronged Attack
Congress, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi, has meticulously planned its approach for the Monsoon Session. A strategy meeting on July 15, 2025, at Sonia Gandhi’s residence outlined the party’s focus on eight key issues, including the Bihar voter list controversy, Operation Sindoor, and the Pahalgam attack. The INDIA bloc, comprising 24 parties, held a virtual meeting on July 19, 2025, to align their parliamentary strategy, signaling a united front against the BJP.
Congress’s national spokesperson, Alok Sharma, emphasized that the party will focus on:
- Security Failures: Demanding answers on the Pahalgam attack and the government’s inability to track terrorists.
- Foreign Policy Missteps: Questioning the lack of international support for Operation Sindoor and the government’s silence on Trump’s ceasefire claims.
- Electoral Integrity: Challenging the ECI’s voter list revision in Bihar as an attempt to manipulate the upcoming elections.
- Social Issues: Raising concerns about rising crimes against women, unemployment, and farmers’ distress.
The party also plans to address the restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, a demand it claims the government has repeatedly ignored despite assurances.
Opposition Unity: Cracks in the INDIA Bloc?
While the opposition aims to present a united front, the Aam Aadmi Party’s exit from the INDIA bloc has raised questions about its cohesion. Alok Sharma downplayed the impact, stating that Congress is not solely responsible for maintaining opposition unity and that other parties must resist pressures from agencies like the ED and CBI. Despite AAP’s withdrawal, parties like RJD, SP, DMK, and CPI(M) remain committed to challenging the BJP, particularly on the Bihar voter list issue.
The INDIA bloc’s meeting on July 19, 2025, saw participation from leaders like Tejashwi Yadav, Omar Abdullah, and Sharad Pawar, indicating a strong resolve to coordinate efforts. However, the opposition’s ability to sustain this unity in Parliament will be critical, especially as the BJP is likely to counter with its own narrative, leveraging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and initiatives like Operation Sindoor.
Will the Monsoon Session Be a Challenge for BJP?
Several news portals, including Aaj Tak, Jagran, and News18, predict a stormy session for the BJP. The opposition’s aggressive stance, combined with public discontent over issues like the Bihar voter list controversy and rising crime, could put the ruling party on the defensive. The BJP’s election war room in Bihar, led by Rohan Gupta, is already preparing for the Assembly elections, focusing on caste equations, Nitish Kumar’s sympathy vote, and positive feedback from Operation Sindoor. However, the opposition’s narrative of electoral manipulation and governance failures could resonate with voters.
The BJP is not without its strengths. Its alliance with JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas) remains intact, and the party is actively engaging with caste-based voter groups, particularly non-Yadav OBCs and Dalits, to counter RJD’s influence. Prime Minister Modi’s planned rallies in Bihar, including one in Siwan on July 20, 2025, underscore the party’s proactive campaign strategy.
However, the voter list controversy poses a significant risk. The ECI’s claim of identifying illegal voters has sparked fears of disenfranchisement, particularly among marginalized communities, which could galvanize opposition support. The Supreme Court’s involvement adds further complexity, and any adverse ruling could damage the BJP’s credibility.
UP and Bihar: Regional Issues with National Implications
In Uttar Pradesh, the Itwa incident has intensified caste tensions, with Brahmins and Yadavs at odds. The Samajwadi Party is likely to raise this issue in Parliament, accusing the BJP of stoking caste divisions. The “Madhushala vs. Pathshala” debate, centered on school closures, has also become a flashpoint, with SP and potentially AAP questioning the Yogi Adityanath government’s priorities. These issues could amplify the opposition’s narrative of BJP’s mismanagement in its stronghold.
In Bihar, the spike in crime, exemplified by the Paras Hospital shooting and the Siwan massacre, has put the NDA government under scrutiny. Tejashwi Yadav has been vocal in attacking Nitish Kumar, claiming that the state’s law and order situation has deteriorated under his leadership. These incidents provide the opposition with a potent weapon to challenge the BJP’s governance credentials.
Gujarat Bridge Collapse: A Blow to BJP’s Infrastructure Narrative
The collapse of a bridge in Gujarat has embarrassed the BJP, which has long projected itself as a champion of infrastructure development. The opposition is likely to use this incident, alongside the Air India plane crash, to question the government’s competence in ensuring public safety. These events could dent the BJP’s image, especially as it seeks to maintain its dominance in Gujarat.
What to Expect from the Monsoon Session
The Monsoon Session 2025 is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown. The opposition, led by Congress, is determined to exploit the BJP’s vulnerabilities, from electoral controversies to governance lapses. The Bihar voter list issue, in particular, could unify opposition parties, despite AAP’s exit from the INDIA bloc. The BJP, however, is not likely to back down, with its robust election machinery and strategic focus on caste dynamics and populist schemes.
Data from the Election Commission indicates that Bihar’s voter list revision could affect over 2 crore voters, a significant portion of the state’s electorate. This, combined with the state’s 243 constituencies and a history of tight electoral contests, makes the issue a potential game-changer. The opposition’s ability to sustain public protests and parliamentary pressure will determine whether it can turn these controversies into electoral gains.
Other news portals, such as TV9 Hindi and Prabhat Khabar, suggest that the session will be a litmus test for both the BJP and the opposition. While the BJP is banking on its organizational strength and Modi’s charisma, the opposition’s focus on governance failures and democratic concerns could resonate with voters, especially in Bihar.
In Last
The Monsoon Session 2025 is poised to be a defining moment in India’s political landscape. With Bihar’s elections on the horizon, the voter list controversy, rising crime, and national issues like Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack will dominate proceedings. Congress’s multi-pronged strategy, backed by the INDIA bloc, aims to put the BJP on the backfoot, but the ruling party’s robust counter-strategy and electoral machinery make this a closely contested battle. As regional issues from UP and Gujarat spill into the national arena, the session will test the BJP’s resilience and the opposition’s unity. For now, all eyes are on Parliament as it braces for a political monsoon unlike any other.