Colleagues know him for speaking out of turn. Opposition prefers to ignore him for interrupting the speeches made from the other side speaks. But, Tuesday was different for Congress MP from Domariyaganj, Jagdambika Pal. He was persuading MPs not to disrupt the House.
It was Pal’s first day in the Chair in the lok Sabha after he was inducted in the panel of Chairperson to conduct the proceedings of the House. He comes in after Girija Vyas moved on to join the council of Ministers.
MPs from across party lines greeted Pal with a broad smile and thumping of the desk when he came to occupy the Chair. Even UPA chief Sonia Gandhi and senior Ministers like Kapil Sibal could not hide their smile to see Pal appealing members to maintain peace.
“This House has a long tradition of not disturbing a new member making his maiden speech. Since this is my first day as you all have reposed faith in me, I would appeal to you to cooperate and help in running the House,” Pal said, urging TDP members to return to their seats. He named a few MPs to keep quiet and they waved a ‘no’.
As the protesting members remained undeterred, Pal said the House had important business, including “crucial legislations like the Food Security Bill”. Pal also referred to the Food Bill as “our Bill” and Coal Minister as “my” Coal Minister.
He spoke continuously for seven minutes and rushed to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi immediately after adjourning the House. Other Congress MPs were also seen congratulating him for his ‘wonderful’ performance.
He then walked up to SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and touched the feet of BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi. Pal then moved towards lK Advani, who was sitting on Joshi’s right, and sought his blessings.
“Pal Saheb, the Congress should have made you the Prime Minister,” BJP’s Kirti Azad quipped. “Madam ne pehle dekha hota to apko Speaker hi bana deti (had Madam seen you earlier, she would have made you the Speaker)” Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath commented. It was time for Pal to have a smile on his face.