Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of various parties on Wednesday discussed a range of issues, including functioning of Parliament, judiciary, and the role and responsibilities of elected representatives. The meeting took place for about half an hour in the Parliament soon after the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die.
Sources said that prominent leaders present besides Modi were Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi, Leader of House Thawar Chand Gehlot, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, eminent members of the house Anand Sharma, Ram Gopal Yadav, Satish Chand Mishra, Derek ORs Brien, TK Rangarajan, Naresh Gujral and SR Subramanian among others.
While leaders expressed happiness over the productive session of the Rajya Sabha, they also took note of the improved interaction between the Government and the Opposition that enabled a good Budget Session.
Sources said Naidu stressed on the need for regular and enhanced coordination between the two for sustaining the improved productivity of the Upper House. He also urged the leaders to advice MPs of respective parties against rushing into Well of the House.
Modi emphasised on the need for the MPs to be sensitive to public perception about them. He observed that the people are closely watching the words and deeds of the Parliamentarians who need to conduct themselves in a responsible manner so that public does not raise questions about their conduct and their entitlements.
He referred to criticism in some sections about the subsidised canteen facility for MPs. The leaders also briefly touched upon the functioning the Judiciary and the need to discuss the same in Parliament, said sources.