The right to raise issues of public importance and ask Questions in an inherent and essential right of the lawmakers. Unfortunately for last several years and periodical parliament sessions; the orderly progression of the House proceedings is besieged by unruly scenes and frequent adjournments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already flagged off the matter on the first day the Budget session began.
This is the last session of the Modi Sarkar-2. Hence, taking a push back; it may be relevant to 'look back' at the says of yore and try discover ways and means to handle the crises. Both Prime Minister Modi, his treasury bench and the opposition should realise that 'accountability' of the executive (that is the government) to Legislature (or Parliament) is the lynchpin of Parliamentary democracy.
The Opposition MPs also should confine themselves to disciplines while proceedings with the House sessions; and avoid repeated pandemonium. One way is the use of humour. Some also suggest that parliamentarians in yesteryear used the powerful weapon of humour and even so-called 'Gandhi giri' -- often joking at the expense of themselves to calm the atmosphere.
Well, Lung Power may be a predominating factor in Indian parliament and even some state legislatures. But Lung Power is also the lowest common denominator and hence these issues need careful scrutiny and only then can we talk about 'salvaging' the Indian politics. There is a school of thought that says the 'Gandhigiri' and general sense of humour should return to Parliament. Otherwise, we know it well that very little attempt has been made to promote self discipline among MLAs and MPs.
Ms Sucheta Kripalini was wife of venerable socialist J B Kripalini. For the first Lok Sabha elections in 1952, she contested from New Delhi on a KMPP ticket, a short-lived party founded by her husband. She had defeated the Congress candidate Manmohini Sahgal. Five years later, she was reelected from the same constituency, but this time as the Congress candidate. Once during debate, Acharya Kripalini was running down the Congress.
As the temper rose, at one point he said: "All these years I thought Congressmen were stupid fools; but I never knew they were gangsters who ran away with other's wives".
Needless to add, the entire House roared with laughter. Almost a similar tongue-in-cheek occasion had surfaced when Ram Manohar Lohia was making a case that Stalin's daughter Svetlana be given asylum in India. Svetlana had an interesting episode in her life.
In an interview on 26 April 1967, she referred to Indian communist Kunwar Brajesh Singh as her 'husband' but would also hasten to state that they were never allowed to marry officially. As Lohia spoke, the charming lawmaker Tarekhwari Sinha was up on her feet and said, as Dr Lohia was not married; how would he knew or talk about conjugal sentiments.
Lohia was not a person to given in so easily, he used his illustrious style and said, "Tarerkeshwari, when did you give any chance".
In the past senior parliamentarians would also make it a point to encourage and play mentors to young MPs. According to veteran Naga leader S C Jamir, who was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to PM Jawaharlal Nehru, "Jairam Das Daulatram, a former Governor of Assam and Rajya Sabha MP, was really my Guru. He taught me from A to Z about Indian politics".
Another humorous repartee worth mentioning will be the episode that left Nehru annoyed but also enjoying the moment.
After 1962 debacle with Chia, opposition members were agitated and they slammed the Prime Minister with all earnestness. Nehru had then famously remarked, "not a single blade of grass gross there".
Subsequently, Mahavir Tyagi shot back: "Nothing grows here...," -- pointing towards Nehru's bald head and wondered, "Does it mean it can be chopped off?".
Understandably, a dejected Nehru also enjoyed the moment.
Come back to Modi era; well we did not have 'Gandhigiri' but the floor managers led by then Leader of the House (Rajya Sabha), Late Arun Jaitley; the government tried to push a line that the Upper House of Parliament always 'played' second fiddle to Lok Sabha and hence not many Bills should be stalled by the Rajya Sabha. Jaitley even suggested adopting some 'conventions' of the British House of Lords.
However, the opposition stood disinterested. Rather the Opposition also accused the government of trying to subvert the Upper House. In fact, Congress MP from Gujarat, Madhusudhan M00istry had moved a priviledge motion against Jaitley.
When denomination of high value currency notes was announced on Nov 8, 2016; lawmaker Naresh Agarwalkeep told Modi that he was imposing whims and fancies n the people.
Agarwal also said : "I know friend Arun Jaitley very well.....He is your Finance Minister, But you did not consult him; had he known I can give you guarantee that Jaitley is such a good friend of mine he would always tell me in advance to keep myself ready with some cash". Here too, the whose House roared.
ends
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| Stalin's daughter Svetlana |
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