Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha PJ Kurien on Wednesday lamented that "conducive" atmosphere for smooth functioning of Parliament was missing and asked government and opposition to behave "responsibly" to end frequent disruptions of proceedings and resultant stalemate.
Addressing an event in Nagpur, Kurien said government and opposition were duty bound in nation-building and the former has a "greater responsibility" in running Parliament. "Government should accept constrictive criticism in its stride...The conducive atmosphere for smooth functioning of Parliament is missing," he said.
Kurien was speaking at a symposium on 'Parliament Disruptions, organised by Lokmat group of newspapers.
"Both government and opposition must behave responsibly and allow Parliament to run smoothly. Government should be more liberal in its approach and accommodate views of opposition. They should sit together to find some solution and thereby run the Parliament," Kurien said.
Recently-concluded winter session of Parliament had witnessed many disruptions in both Houses over various issues including that of religious conversions and controversial statements made by union ministers Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj.
Kurien said opposition should also cooperate with government in ensuring smooth functioning of House and thereby running it without disruptions. "Treasury benches should have a mindset to run the House in cooperation with opposition...The bonhomie is missing. It should be restored at the outset between both the treasury and opposition benches," the veteran Kerala politician said.
AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechuri, Lokmat Group chairman Vijay Darda, besides MPs from various parties were present at the event. Kurien, a veteran parliamentarian himself, said people will lose faith in parliamentary democracy if there are continuous disruptions. "The MPs who disrupt proceedings also violate the oath they take as member of the House," he said.
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