BackPresident ticks off MPs for demonetisation disruptions
President Pranab Mukherjee said Parliament is not a place for dharna and disruption
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New Delhi: A day after the outburst from veteran parliamentarian and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani on the non-functioning of Parliament, President Pranab Mukherjee weighed in on the frequent disruptions that have prevented any work from being done by the two houses.
“While three Ds are essential in a parliamentary system of democracy, i.e. Debate, Dissension and Decision, the fourth D, i.e. Disruption is totally unacceptable. For god’s sake, do your job. You are meant to transact business," Pranab Mukherjee remarked sharply while addressing a meeting organized by the Defence Estates Organization.
In a veiled reference to the disruption tactics of the opposition, the President said, “Whatever be the differences, members have the opportunity to speak their mind and discuss issues freely...Extent of freedom available to Members of Parliament should not be misused by causing disruptions. Disruptions amount to gagging the majority as it is only the minority which disrupts and the Chair has no choice but to adjourn the proceedings."
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The rare intervention by Presidnet Mukherjee suggests that the tactic of disrupting Parliament may have reached a tipping point with weighty voices like the President demanding a course correction.
In the ongoing winter session, the government has been unable to move its legislative agenda. Worse, political differences between some of the opposition parties and the government are threatening to derail the roll out of the goods and services tax (GST) regime from 1 April. The GST Council is scheduled to meet over the weekend to explore a way out of the impasse.
With Parliament paralysed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the social media platform, Twitter, to argue his case on the demonetization of high value currency—describing it as a “yagna (campaign) against corruption, terrorism and black money".
“I always said that the government’s measure will bring a degree of inconvenience, but this short-term pain will pave way for long-term gain. The government’s decision has several gains for farmers, traders, labourers, who are the economic backbone of our nation. I salute the people of India for wholeheartedly participating in this," Modi said in a series to tweets.
The prime minister also injected a dash of politics into the debate by claiming that demonetization and its subsequent impact on black money would fundamentally alter the status quo and consequently benefit the hitherto disempowered. Several recent government schemes including Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana (providing LPG connections to the poor) and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (loans to small entrepreneurs) have sought to target poverty alleviation through empowerment.
“We also have a historic opportunity to embrace increased cashless payments and integrate latest technology in economic transactions. No longer will the progress and prosperity of rural India be curtailed by corruption and black money. Our villages must get their due. This will empower the poor, neo-middle class, middle class and benefit future generations," Modi said.
The opposition was unmoved.
ALSO READ: Lok Sabha face-off on demonetisation continues
“PM is running from one thing to another —from black to counterfeit to cashless. If the PM comes to Parliament for debate, we won’t let him run. PM’s so called bold demonetization move is a foolish decision which has devastated the country. More than 100 people have died," Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament.
The government was equally belligerent. In the Lok Sabha, finance minister Arun Jaitley challenged members of the Congress to spell out a single step their government had taken against black money.
“If the President is saying this, he is addressing both the sides. His comment is more for the party in power. Responsibility of functioning lies with the party in power," said Abhay Kumar Dubey, a New Delhi-based political analyst associated with the Center for the Study of Developing Societies.
PTI contributed to this story.
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