Parliament can't be an extension of politics: Naidu

Parliament cannot be an extension of politics in its typical sense which is marked by deep divisions and acrimony, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Friday.

"All of you would agree with me that though the Parliament is a political institution, it cannot be an extension of politics in its typical sense which is marked by deep divisions and acrimony," Naidu, who also the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha, said in his valedictory remarks at the conclusion of the 244th session of the upper house.

"Parliament is an important institution for furthering the shared socio-economic goals of the nation which are critical to fulfilling the aspirations of the citizens who are the chief patrons of our parliamentary democracy," he said.

Naidu observed that alhough the House could transact some important business, it "could have been better than what it proved to be".

He said that India is steadily evolving towards realising its immense untapped potential and the legislatures of the country, including Parliament, need to "quickly evolve in the way we conduct our proceedings so as to meet the needs of our evolving nation".

He mentioned that assertion of commitment by both government and opposition to respect and uphold the office of Prime Minister and former Prime Minister, was a high point.

Naidu also appreciated the way in which "all sections" of the House spoke "in one voice and in a restrained way" regarding Kulbhushan Jadhav meeting his family members in a Pakistan jail.

However, the Chairman expressed concern over the lost hours during the session.

"Intense and passionate submissions and debates are the order of democracy, but disruptions are certainly not. I urge upon the Members to seriously introspect in this regard.

"It is a matter of deep discomfort that the House has lost 34 hours of valuable working time as against the period of 41 hours of business transacted," he said.

Naidu also wished well to the three retiring members - Karan Singh, Janardan Dwivedi and Parvez Hashmi, and said that the upper House would be missing their contributions to the proceedings of the House.

--IANS

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