The former Lok Sabha speaker said that success of legistalors ultimately depends on how well they are able to decide on the priorities and fulfil their obligations to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Members of Parliament and state assemblies should be sensitive and responsive to the problems and concerns of the people of their constituency and have impeccable character, great courage and virtuous conduct, former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee said today.
Addressing a seminar at Delhi Vidhan Sabha's Ethics Committee here, Chatterjee said that success of legistalors ultimately depends on how well they are able to decide on the priorities and fulfil their obligations to the satisfaction of all concerned.
"What is important is to have a realistic role perception and work tirelessly to fulfil that perceived role," he said.
Expressing concerns over growing incidents of unruly behaviour by the members and disruption of proceedings of the House, the former Lok Sabha speaker said, "this not only leads to the loss of precious time of the House, but also lowers the image of parliamentary institutions in the eyes of our people."
It is ultimately the opposition, which loses the valuable opportunity and time which could be utilised for espousing their views and exposing what they would call the government's failures, he added.
Chatterjee said that the opposition, undoubtedly, has a vital role to play in Parliamentary democracy and as a matter of fact, parliamentary system operates better when there is a vigilant and responsible opposition.
He said that a sitting of Parliament or State Legislature incurs a considerable amount of public money to the extent of nearly Rs29,000 per minute so far as Lok Sabha is concerned.
Chatterjee asked the members to avoid confrontational politics.
"Such confrontational politics has brought in sharp focus caste, creed, language, religion, region etc as guiding factors in moulding public opinion and sections of the political leadership are expecting to get political advantage by emphasising on what divides the people than what unites them," he said.
The veteran leader suggested that new members should observe the "performance of senior legislators in the House and use their early years to understand the nuances of functioning of the legislature and how to articulate one's view on different subjects."
Pressing on the need for regular attendance of the members, Chatterjee said that it would help them in better understanding of the issues.
He also asked the members to learn to make the difference between a speech on the floor of the House and a political speech on a public platform.
"A speech in the House should be focused, supported by facts and figures and throw more light on the issues being discussed and guided by public interest," Chatterjee said.
He also expressed concerns over criminal entering into politics and said "youth should join politics instead of staying away and criticising it."
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