Opposition should play constructive role: Trinamool's Dinesh Trivedi

Observing that opposing was not its only task, Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi Thursday called for the opposition to play a constructive role irrespective of who is the prime minister or which party he belongs to.

"Just because we are in the opposition doesn't mean we have to oppose every policy of the government. Time has come for the opposition to play a constructive role, doesn't matter who the prime minister is or which party he belongs to," he said during a programme here.

Trivedi along with fellow party MP Sugata Bose, Congress Rajya Sabha member M.V. Rajeev Gowda and Sikkim Democratic Front's Prem Das Rai, was participating at an event on role of an MP in "Good Governance and Sustainable Development".

Disproving the practice of members marching to the speaker's podium in protests, Trivedi emphasized the need for debates and discussions.

"It's funny that the thinking changes when people move from the treasury benches to the others side. If the government doesn't have the policy which is good for the people, let us debate.

"We need to stop going to the well of the house, you can blame all parties for that. There has to be collective pressure from the public on us so that we don't do things which the people do not approve," added the former railways minister.

Speaking on the occasion, Rai, who represents Sikkim's sole Lok Sabha constituency, said it was not possible for an MP to work for development in isolation.

"We as MPs are party driven and its difficult to go against the party. If your party aims for growth and you advocate for sustainability, there are chances that you will have to two your party line," Rai said on a poser if it was possible for an MP to work for development against his party wishes.

Giving his opinion on the issue, Bose said the British system was better where a MP had the 1uxury to disobey the party whip.

"In India under the anti defection law you stand to lose your membership if you disobey the party whip. But in British you have the luxury to disobey a whip. So I think individual MPs who often have to follow party lines, should foster a culture of debate before a decision on an important matter is taken," he said.