New Delhi: The Parliament is a place for serious work and not drama, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday in his address at the start of the winter session of Parliament. He also warned the Opposition against using the two Houses to vent their frustration over “serial election losses”.
The PM’s remarks set the tone for the 19-day session that has 15 sittings, during which the government plans to pass a number of Bills. The Opposition plans to take up issues such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Delhi car blast.
Modi was at his caustic best and told the opposition parties that they need to change tack and he was ready to give them tips on how to change the game.
“There are a lot of spaces for drama. Parliament is a place for delivery, not drama. The opposition parties are unable to digest their defeats and are venting their anguish in Parliament. But the whole country is available to them to raise slogans. They have been raising slogans in states where they’ve just been defeated. They can raise slogans in states where they are about to be defeated. Negativity has a limited value in politics but ultimately you also need a positive approach for nation-building,” the Prime Minister said.
SIR is the most contentious issue, with the Opposition demanding a debate on what it alleges is an effort by the ECI to delete the name of voters sympathetic to non-BJP parties. The ECI has denied all allegations and the Supreme Court had upheld the SIR process.
The PM said the Opposition must prioritise ‘neeti’ (policy) over ‘naara’ (slogan).
“They are facing such a situation in states that they can’t face the people, so they come to Parliament and vent their anger,” the PM said in a blistering attack on the opposition.
It is a matter of concern that first-time MPs and youth across parties are not being given an opportunity to raise their issues in Parliament, Modi said.
“First-time and young MPs are very anxious and sad. They are not getting an opportunity to raise their issues, reflect problems of their areas, and raise issues of national importance. All parties should give opportunity to new MPs. Their experiences should enrich the house,” said Modi.
The Prime Minister also referred to this being the first session when Vice President C P Radhakrishnan will attend the Rajya Sabha as chairman.
Some parties have given birth to a new convention of using Parliament to vent their anxieties, Modi said.
“They have been playing their games for years but the nation is not accepting them. So they should change their approach and strategy. I am ready to give them tips. Don’t sacrifice the interests of young MPs on the altar of your selfish political agenda. Parliament can’t become a site for Opposition meltdown,” he said.
