NEW DELHI, Feb 21: The Government today left open the possibility of giving effect to Rahul Gandhi’s pet six anti-graft legislations through ordinances after the Opposition parties did not agree to extend the current Parliament session.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath responded by stating, “We will discuss the matter” when asked by reporters if the Government would take the ordinance route on the bills.
He also indicated that the Government would consider what views President Pranab Mukherjee may have in regard to promulgation of ordinances.
“We will discuss the matter…. What are the views of the President…. Because the country needs the anti- corruption legislations which are pending…. But despite all my efforts, the political parties did not agree to extend the session,” Kamal Nath said.
Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati said, “though we support the bills, they should have come much earlier. Now the Government, which itself is involved in corruption, is trying to change its image through the bills”.
The extended Winter Session had started on February five.
Nath said that despite his attempts to persuade them, the political parties did not agree to extend to the session.
“They have not agreed despite the fact that these bills have been pending since 2011, 2012, 2013 and have gone through standing committees. It is not that these bills have come in the last two, three months. So, very unhappily, the Government has no choice but to adjourn the House sine die,” he said.
Highlighting the beauty of Indian democracy, Shinde said the ruling and the Opposition members might air their differences vociferously over various issues in Parliament but they do not carry those sentiments outside the House.
“We took decisions together on a number of subjects that have been pending for long,” Shinde said, noting that the outgoing House had enacted a number of landmark laws like Lokpal, Food Security Act and Land Acquisition Act.
Referring to Telangana bill, which was passed by the House earlier this week, he said he was “obliged” to BJP for its support.
He said he was not sure whether BJP would support the bill but “you did not sit on the prestige that the announcement for creation of the new State had been made by Sonia Gandhi 10 years back and you had also promised it.”
Specifically, choosing Swaraj for the eloquent praise, Shinde said “aap ki baat mein mithaas hai, mithai khane se bhi woh mithaas nahi hoti (your tone is very sweet, it is sweeter than the sweets).”
Reciprocating in similar vein, Swaraj praised Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and Shinde for their conduct.
Swaraj, who had once said that she will tonsure her head if Sonia Gandhi becomes Prime Minister, today said the Congress chief was a graceful leader.
At her witty best, Swaraj drew applause from members as she mentioned that Kamal Nath tried “shararat (mischief)” while Shinde displayed “sharafat (decency)”.
“We oppose each other but we are not enemies… We oppose ideologies… We are going back with so many sweet and sour memories,” Swaraj said.
When the history of the 15th Lok Sabha is written, it will say that for most of the time there were interruptions but most awaited bills were also passed during this time, she noted.
Conscious that her party will have to fight it out with Congress in the hustings, Swaraj said that she cannot bless them victory but can wish them glory. “We should contest (elections) with dignity,” she added.
Swaraj and other leaders praised Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar over the way she conducted the House.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said all the parties should forget the differences as the term of the Lok Sabha ends and they go to polls.
Expressing gratitude towards Sonia Gandhi, he said, “Whenever I have passed on slips to her requesting something, she has always acted on them.”
He also used the occasion to praise BJP veteran L K Advani. He thanked the “elder” leader even while noting that he had differences with him. “This happens in democracy.”
Singh mentioned some occasion when Advani, as Deputy Prime Minister, had called him to discuss some issue. He said Advani was very angry during the meeting but he forgot soon after and the relations between them were good.
In his typical style, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said the Government at times behaves like “dictator” and it is the responsibility of the Opposition to criticise that.
“So, if the Opposition is angry at times, you should not mind…Members don’t raise issues for personal benefits but to ensure that people’s interests are not affected,” he said.
Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) referred to turmoil seen in the House on several occasions and said there was a need to “introspect” as to whether the members were behaving properly.
Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) also pressed the need for introspection of the way Parliament was functioning as he noted that the country is at “crossroads”.
JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said nothing should be done which is beyond the Constitution. “Some parties try to make Constitution out of their manifestos, which is wrong,” he said.
Yadav, whose party parted ways with BJP a few months ago, praised Swaraj, saying she had supported him whenever he raised any issue in the House. Similarly, “I also supported her,” he said.
He said if there had been any acrimony, it should be forgotten.
Yadav praised late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi saying though we were in jail because of her but some of her decisions were very good. “Indiraji’s decisions still influence me,” he said.
TMC leader Saugata Roy said Parliament should remain united with members having proper manners, irrespective of the parties which they represent.
He also said Speaker Meira Kumar conducted the House in a graceful manner and observed that the “trademark smile” is back on her face today.
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said that the hardwork of farmers in making the country’s agriculture sector strong.
Appreciating the support of Lok Sabha members for the cause of farmers, Pawar said India is now the largest exporter of rice. (PTI)
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