Centre responsibile to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament: JD (U)

The Janata Dal (United) has agreed with President Pranab Mukherjee's criticism of the continuous logjam in Parliament, saying that lawmakers had a duty to do their job i.e transact the business of the House, and added that it is the responsibility of the Centre to ensure the smooth functioning of the legislature.

"We fully support President Pranab Mukherjee's comment. It is unfortunate that parliament is not functioning, but it is the responsibility of the ruling regime to make both houses function properly," JD-U spokesperson Ajay Alok told ANI here.

"Somewhere, the dialogue process which is usually put forwarded by the Centre is not happening anymore. That is why we call it unfortunate," he added.

On Thursday, President Pranab Mukherjee said parliament is not a place for dharna and disruption which amounts to a "gagging of majority" by the minority.

He told parliamentarians that they are meant to discuss and transact business and not to disrupt.

"Disruption is totally unacceptable in parliamentary system. People send representatives to speak and not to sit on dharna and not to create any trouble on the floor," he said speaking on "Electoral reforms for a stronger democracy" on the occasion of Defence Estates Day Lecture in New Delhi.

Mukherjee said, "Disruption means you are hurt, you are gagging majority. Majority never participates in this disruption. Only minority comes to the well, shouts slogans, stops the proceedings and creates a situation in which the Chair has no option but to adjourn the House. This is totally unacceptable."

"For demonstration, you can choose any other places. But for god's sake, do your job. You are meant to transact business. You are meant to devote your time for exercising the authority of members, particularly Lok Sabha members over money and finance," he added.