Competitive politics slowing progress of states: President

Observing that public development and welfare transcend political barriers, President Pranab Mukherjee Friday warned against competitive politics slowing down the progress of states or enhancing the suffering of the people.

"Individual legislators as members of different political parties would be guided by their party policies. But competitive politics should not result in slowing down the progress of the state or enhancing the suffering of its people," he said.

"Most issues of development and public welfare transcend political barriers," he said, in his address at the valedictory ceremony of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the West Bengal legislative assembly.

Mukherjee also expressed concern over some state assemblies adopting the ordinance path to push controversial legislations.

"Ordinances should be normally promulgated only in the event of immediate need. Some states, however, appear to be pushing through certain controversial legislations through ordinances. Such ordinances do not have the approval of the House and are not debated or discussed properly by the legislators," he noted.

Lauding the Bengal Assembly for its proactive role over the years, Mukherjee said it was again time for the state to show leadership in finding innovative solutions and new methods of promoting collective welfare.

"Let Bengal's arm lend strength to India's arm, let Bengal's message make India's message come true," said Mukherjee quoting Rabindranath Tagore.