Resolution in parliament must come from Chair: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday proposed a constitutional amendment to ensure that any resolution brought up on the floor of House should be introduced by the Chair, not the government.

The proposal was made at an all-party meeting in Parliament called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday ahead of the winter session of Parliament.

The proposal was mooted by the Congress ahead of a two-day discussion on the Commitment to the Constitution of India to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.

The discussion will mark the beginning of the winter session of Parliament.

"We welcomed the government's proposal of two-day discussion on the 'Commitment to the Constitution of India' ... But we gave a proposal that if any resolution was brought and passed in the Parliament, it should not come from the government. It should come from the 'Chair' of either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha," said Leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, while addressing media persons.

Azad said: "Whatever is the resolution must be agreed upon by the leaders of all the political parties. The proposal was supported by other political parties and parliamentary affairs minister accepted our demand.

"They are going to prepare a draft which will be circulated among the leaders of the political parties.

"We have assured the government that we are a responsible political party and we would like to support each and every bill on merit," he added.

"We have also made it clear that our concerns must be taken on board and the suggestions that the opposition give from time to time should be accommodated," he said.