FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Tuesday, 02 December 2025 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS UPI slips 1 pc in Nov to 20.47 billion Page 10 BRIEFLY Industrial output slumps to 0.4 pc in Oct: Zelenskyy meets with Macron in Paris as peace negotiations advance NATION Winter Session of Parliament begins Page 5 Page 9 PM’s ‘delivery, not drama’ sets tone, Opposition fumes VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 1 December New Delhi: India’s industrial output slowed sharply in October, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) rising just 0.4%, according to data released by the MoSPI. The subdued performance has been largely attributed to fewer working days during the month due to major festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath, which affected overall production levels, the ministry said in a statement. The latest figure marks a significant drop from the 4% growth recorded in September 2025 and 3.5% in October 2024, signalling a broader loss of industrial momentum. (See page 10) P rime Minister Narendra Modi’s “delivery, not drama” remarks on the very first day of the Winter Session of Parliament on Monday drew sharp reactions from Opposition parties, thus setting the tone for the rest of the session. Reacting strongly, opposition parties, including the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), criticised PM Modi, with the Congress calling him the “biggest dramebaaz.” “India has proven that democracy can deliver,” PM Modi told media persons during his customary address at Hans Dwar, highlighting the “high voter turnout in Bihar’s recent elections—especially women’s participation—as a demonstration of the nation’s faith in the Parliamentary process.” “Don’t be frazzled by the PM Modi addresses the media before the commencement of the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi. SUBRATA DUTTA outcome of recent electoral results… Don’t do drama in Parliament, but deliver,” he said, also cautioning his own alliance against “arrogance” stemming from electoral victory and calling on the Opposition to engage in constructive debate rather than procedural deadlocks. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “On the first day of the Winter Session, instead of addressing the real issues before Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again delivered his ‘dramabazi delivery’! The government has continuously undermined parliamentary decorum and the system over the past 11 years, and the record is well known.” Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee added to that, saying, “Who can do such a good drama except Modiji?” The TMC has threatened to stall the Winter Session if important issues like the ongoing SIR exercise are not discussed. Even as it skipped the INDIA bloc’s floor-coordination meeting, the TMC voiced its displeasure, with general secretary Abhishek Banerjee asserting that the Opposition was operating within the legal framework in raising questions, and the government should not assume it is beyond accountability simply because it has won elections in a few states. In fact, the stage for the Winter Session was set the moment PM Modi attacked the Opposition in his customary address ahead of the session, saying that the House was a place for “delivery, not drama” and mocked the Opposition on its Bihar debacle, telling them not to allow frustration over electoral defeats to overshadow parliamentary proceedings. He also advised them on a change in strategy. “The game the Opposition has been playing for the past 10 years is no longer acceptable to the people. They should change their strategy. I am ready to give them a few tips,” he said. Kohli’s Ranchi heroics spark fresh debate over his ODI future Page 12 It’s Congress versus BJP over former V-P Dhankhar at Radhakrishnan’s felicitation STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 1 December The Winter Session marks the first Parliamentary session over which the new Vice President, CP Radhakrishnan, is presiding as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. However, his felicitation on the first day also witnessed a heated exchange between the Leader of Opposition in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge, and BJP members over the “sudden exit” of Radhakrishnan’s predecessor, former Vice President Jagde ep Dhankhar (photo). The exchange followed when, during his welcome address to Radhakrishnan, Kharge referred to Dhankhar’s “completely unexpected and sudden exit from the office of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha.” “I hope you will not mind that I am constrained to refer t o yo u r p re de ce s s o r ’s completely unexpected and sudden exit from the office of the Chairman, Rajya S a b h a ,” h e s a i d , a m i d objections from BJP members. While expressing hope that the new Vice President would ensure the “fair and impartial conduct of proceedings of the House and provide just opportunities to members of each party, irrespective of whether they belong to the Opposition or the treasury benches,” Kharge added that he was “disheartened that the House did not get an opportunity to bid him farewell. Regardless, I wish him, on behalf of the entire Opposition, a very healthy life.” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed Kharge for mentioning Dhankhar’s resignation on a “solemn occasion” meant for welcoming Radhakrishnan “This is a very solemn occasion. Leader of the House J P Nadda also sharply reacted, urging members to maintain the dignity of the occasion. Referring to the Opposition alliance’s loss in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, he suggested that Kharge should express the pain of losing polls to a doctor. PM Modi, congratulating Radhakrishnan on assuming the Chair, described it as a proud moment for the House. He praised Radhakrishnan’s journey from a farmer’s family and his lifelong dedication to public service.