Congress MP Manish Tewari expressed concerns about the weakening role of the Indian legislature, accusing the executive and judiciary of overshadowing parliamentary functions. Highlighting a decline in Lok Sabha working days—from over 135 in early years to about 55 in the 17th Lok Sabha—he criticized factors like party whips and the anti-defection law for undermining legislative effectiveness.

Tewari’s comments coincided with the start of the 18th Lok Sabha and 269th Rajya Sabha Winter Session on December 1, during which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and a bill proposing new taxes on pan masala and gutkha aimed at enhancing defense and public health funding.