Buoyed by the massive success in recent Assembly polls, after a tepid Lok Sabha performance that had dampened the ruling party’s stature, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday came with regained confidence and attacked the Opposition saying “those rejected by people 80-90 times” were trying to control Parliament by resorting to hooliganism for their own political gains.
Addressing the media ahead of the start of the Winter Session of Parliament, PM Modi said such a handful of people did not succeed in their intentions but people of the country observed their actions and punished them at an appropriate time.
However, minutes after the PM urged the Members to allow the Parliament to function smoothly, and give opportunity to the new MPs, both the Houses, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, were adjourned due to the ruckus by the Opposition, over the latest Adani Group controversy. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asked political parties to avoid ruckus in the House in the name of protests.
In view of the Constitution Day celebrations in Samvidhan Sadan on Tuesday, Birla urged the members of various political parties to engage in a meaningful dialogue. President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to start the year-long celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution at a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan.
PM Modi’s remarks came days after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition won the Maharashtra Assembly elections by a landslide, bagging 235 seats and relegating the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi to a distant 49 seats in the 288-member House. Earlier, the BJP had registered a surprise third consecutive victory in the Haryana polls, trouncing the Congress, which was billed as a pre-poll favourite.
“There should be a healthy debate in the Parliament but, unfortunately, certain individuals are trying to control Parliament for their own political gains, resorting to disruptions and chaos. Though their tactics ultimately fail, the people watch their behaviour closely and deliver justice when the time comes,” he added.
The PM said he had been repeatedly urging opposition colleagues, and some also agreed that Parliament should function smoothly. The Winter Session of Parliament began on Monday and is scheduled to continue till December 20. “The most troubling aspect, however, is that such behaviour (disruptions) stifles the rights of new MPs, those who bring fresh ideas and energy from all parties,” the PM said. He also said the new members were often denied opportunities to speak in the House.
“We, as their representatives, must live up to these sentiments. It is time to reflect on the time we have lost so far and resolve to compensate by thoroughly debating various issues in the House,” he said, adding, “Future generations will read and draw inspiration from these discussions. I hope this session will be highly productive, enhance the prestige of the Constitution’s 75th year, strengthen Bharat’s global stature, provide opportunities to new MPs, and welcome new ideas,” he said.
“With this spirit, I once again invite and welcome all esteemed members of Parliament to approach this session with enthusiasm and vigour,” the PM said. He added that the current session of Parliament was special in many ways, with the most significant aspect being the 75-year journey of the Constitution.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed dismay over the Chair in both Houses of Parliament disallowing the opposition to raise under Rule 267 the issue of corruption allegations against the Adani Group and said the government should “let the truth come out” as the matter is affecting the country’s image.
