The Hindu : National : Parties should address contentious issues through dialogue: Shekhawat

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Friday, May 18, 2007
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Parties should address contentious issues through dialogue: Shekhawat

Sandeep Dikshit

Manmohan Singh and Jaswant Singh also addressed the valedictory session of the Rajya Sabha

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

NEW DELHI: Vice-President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh regretted the turmoil in the Rajya Sabha during the current session and hoped the Monsoon Session would bring about a change for the better. They were addressing the valedictory session of the Rajya Sabha after which the House was declared sine die.

The ball for introspection was set rolling by Mr. Shekhawat when he noted that parliamentary proceedings are meaningful only if important issues concerning the common man are discussed effectively in the House. "I have always been urging all political parties and groups to address contentious issues through dialogue and the spirit of consensus so that the time of the House is not wasted through unnecessary interruption. I do hope that we will take concrete steps in this direction."

Mr. Jaswant Singh wondered whether he should speak the truth or confine himself to formalities. He then decided to choose the former option in order not to be "caught out" by more perspicacious leaders including Mr. Shekhawat. The current session was unusual because the House functioned in fits and starts. "This is because probably there is a defect in the engine and we should reflect on this," he said, adding that hopefully the coming monsoons would bring about a change for the better in the next session.

The Prime Minister, who spoke before the end of the session, "did not want to comment" on what had been achieved in the most important sitting of the year but felt that "everything is not right". While not seeking to apportion blame on any section of the House, Dr. Singh said the time had come for "everyone to reflect what is happening in the House."

"There was a time when Parliament made a serious effort to redress the problems that had crept into the system. On the fiftieth anniversary of Independence, we had evolved a code of conduct. There was to be no entering the Well of the House and there would be no disruption of Question Hour. All this seems to have been forgotten. It is our solemn duty as Parliamentarians to reflect and [think] whether it enhances the standing of Parliament in the eyes of the people," the Prime Minister said, adding that in the next session, he hoped there would be less repetition of what has happened in the Budget Session.

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