Opposition should allow Rajya Sabha to function: M Venkaiah Naidu

Says Opposition parties are hurting the national interest by obstructing the business of Rajya Sabha for political reasons

Parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday appealed to the Opposition parties to allow the Rajya Sabha to function and enable it to pass important Bills.

Alleging that the Opposition parties were hurting the national interest by obstructing the business of Rajya Sabha for political reasons he said they should allow the House to pass several important Bills like the insurance Bill, coal mines nationalisation amendment Bill and anti-hijacking of aircraft Bill.

"Parliament should not be seen as an obstacle for the development and people's welfare. I advice the Opposition to understand the spirit of parliamentary democracy," he said.

According to him, the Lok Sabha has passed 17 Bills during the current session, while Rajya Sabha was not functioning due to the obstruction by some Opposition parties who were insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House on conversions.

Stating that the winter session would come to an end in the next two days, the Union minister expressed confidence that the insurance Bill would be taken up for consideration with the Opposition's support.

"I am already talking to the Opposition parties. I am confident that they will try to help us tomorrow," he said, adding that the insurance Bill, which was listed on four days last week, could not be taken up in the Rajya Sabha because of disruptions by the Opposition parties.