Mahtab is one among those leaders who stands out nearly as a statesman who has gone beyond partisanship to promote real causes
In times when the general public has been lamenting the fact that there has been a precipitous decline in legislative standards, it is heartening that the President conferred the outstanding parliamentarians award on Najma Heptulla, Hukmdev Narayan Yadav, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Dinesh Trivedi and Bhartruhari Mahtab for the years 2013-2017. Mahtab, the youngest of them, was awarded the outstanding parliamentarian award for the year 2017. This writer had the occasion to come in close proximity with him during study visits of the Political Advisory Committee of the 12th lok Sabha. He was then young and a first time MP from Cuttack parliamentary constituency, which he has been representing consecutively for the fifth term. He belongs to that rare vanishing species of parliamentarians who are acclaimed for their liberal outlook, ennobling eloquence, observance of rules, clarity of thought and conviction. Over a period of two decades, through his inspiring speeches on the floor of the House, his contributions to the committees, his exemplary conduct and dignified bearing in and outside the Parliament, and as India’s representative to the United Nations, Mahtab acquired a formidable reputation as an accomplished parliamentarian, touching the subliminal heights of a true statesman.
On matters of national concern, he remained undeterred by political equations. As an abiding observer of the rules of procedure, hallowed conventions, parliamentary etiquette and propriety, there have been occasions when he expressed his angst over the tendency of some Members to defy the Chair and to troop to the well of the House. One needs to learn from him how to put to good use various parliamentary devices to raise discussion in the House or to draw the attention of the Government in matters of public importance. Mahtab has been a champion of farmers’ cause and takes every opportunity to raise their difficulties. He has been a strong advocate of transparency in the funding of political parties and wholesale reforms in the banking sector so that lending and borrowing become smoother, the credibility of the banks is refurbished and public faith and confidence in the financial institutions remain in tact. The tribute paid by him to BR Ambedkar on his 125 birth anniversary is revealing. The oration, marked by refreshing candour and felicity of expression, unveils his remarkable understanding of our complex Constitutional history and immortal contribution of Ambedkar to the making of our Constitution.
Nature has endowed him generously with all those quintessential attributes which make him an outstanding parliamentarian. How to make good use of the time slot for the private members, one has to take note of his participation in the private members’ business. He introduced 17 Bills in the lok Sabha on a wide-ranging subjects of national importance, like prevention of cruelty to animals, prohibition of religious conversion, domestic workers’ welfare, prevention of acid attacks, regulation of surrogacy, control of non-performing assets of banks, prevention and control of water pollution, among others. The Senior Citizens (Provision of Geriatric and Dementia Care) Bill, 2014, was discussed in the lok Sabha at three sittings. Of course, it was talked out on the solemn assurance of the Government but 20 MPs cutting across the political spectrum participated and urged the Government in unison to pass the Bill. His meticulous attention to the details, complete thoroughness with internal working rules, conscientious manner of enquiry and bipartisan nature were best witnessed in the PAC during those turbulent times when the committee was examining highly contentious audit reports relating to the sale of spectrum, acquisition of aircraft by Air India, organisation of the CWG games, Adarsh housing society, allocation of coal blocks, etc. On occasions, when the PAC tended to polarise on party lines and there were attempts at browbeating, he articulated his views unruffled and uncowed.
There have been occasions when in a committee sitting, there is a virtual tug of war between the members and the bureaucracy, the former determined to win and the latter unrelenting and rebutting. At times, tempers ran high and the members got agitated if they feel that the witnesses were evasive, non-cooperative or are deliberately shielding information. Mahtab, thanks to his deft style of sustained interrogation and placid temper, extracted information from the reluctant witnesses without being irascible. Besides, he has an impeccable record of attendance. lok Sabha records show his 100 percent attendance during many sessions while his general attendance is more than 90 per cent. This speaks volumes how seriously he takes his duty as a Member of Parliament. He is also a star speaker on major discussions in the House, be it on the motion of thanks on the President’s address, the Budget, any substantive motion before the House or legislation. His oration is not exceedingly florid or rhetorical but measured, informed and rings of sincerity and deep conviction, making an enduring impact. As an acclaimed parliamentarian and accomplished public speaker, he is much in demand, within and outside the country, to give discourse on contemporary national and global concerns. Many prestigious awards and trophies have been conferred on him, and now, the outstanding parliamentarian award, the most coveted by any aspiring parliamentarian.
(The writer is a former Additional Secretary, lok Sabha, and an author)