New Delhi, July 15 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will hold separate meetings with leaders of different parties, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, before the all-party meeting to ensure smooth and disruption free working of the monsoon session of Parliament.
Ms. Mahajan told UNI that she will interact with leaders of various political parties before all party meet on July 17 and try to persuade them that MPs should be given a chance to speak on their respective subjects. And leaders will gain confidence of their voters. She said besides Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, she will also meet Mr. Gandhi as he is the party president.
'The credentials and image of the candidate plays a big role in the constituency with the charisma of the senior leader at the national level. The elections cannot be won only by senior leaders. Therefore all members in the House should get an opportunity to discharge their legislative responsibilities,' the Speaker said.
"We all know that the tenure of Lok Sabha has entered the final year and now only three sessions are left. Time is limited but there are several items of work still unfinished and time will be available mainly during the Monsoon and Winter Sessions in transacting the legislative business.
"If lawmakers, especially the first time elected MPs do not get a chance to raise the problems of their constituencies, their credibility in the area can be affected," said the Speaker.
The Speaker said that conduct and quality of debate and discussion in Parliament also shapes up the level, norms and decorum of debate and discussions on social platforms.
"I hope the electoral and political battles will be fought in the constituencies and at the same time members will discharge their democratic responsibilities with decorum in the House."
Ms. Mahajan said that she is always ready to consider the proposals of opposition parties, etc. However, the language of the proposal has to be kept in mind too. She said that she wants to give all parties an opportunity to let them raise their subjects.
In response to a question, the Speaker said that during her recent foreign visits, members of Indian diaspora and other foreign dignitaries also expressed their disappointment and concern over the constant disruptions in the House.
She said it was the collective responsibility of the members to protect and keep intact the prestige and sanctity of Parliament. "Thus, time has come for us to introspect and decide what is the way forward and ideal image for our Parliament and democracy."
She said that Indian democracy is seen as the world's largest democracy. Therefore, it is our responsibility to strengthen the credibility and trust of not just our country but of the democratic system across the world.
Ms Mahajan also shared that few days ago in a letter addressed to all MPs she expressed concern over the frequent disruptions of Parliament, saying divergence of opinion and dissent should be within the established norms. Ms Mahajan said the tenure of the 16th Lok Sabha has entered into its final year and only three sessions were left.
The monsoon session is slated to begin on July 18.
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