MPs should realise people are watching, will decide at election time: Mahajan on disruptions

MPs should realise that people are watching the frequent disruptions in Parliament and will take an "appropriate decision" at election time, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said today ahead of the Monsoon session likely to begin next month.

A "hurt and pained" Mahajan said Parliament is a place to "discuss, debate and decide" and all MPs should follow rules.

"But what is happening is disruptions," Mahajan said at a workshop organised by the Vision Indian Foundation here.

Replying to questions about MPs coming into the well of the house, the speaker said all MPs follow their party's agenda and the decisions taken by their party leaders.

"All MPs have been given rule book, they should follow rules. It hurts and pains me when the house gets adjourned due to disruptions. The leaders of all parties also have a responsibility to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament," she said.

Mahajan spoke at length about the relevance of discussion and debate in Parliament and suggested that leaders should take note of the frequent disruptions in both houses.

"MPs should realise that people are watching them. And they will take an appropriate decision after five years," she said in response to a question.

Discussing the role of the media, she said it tends to ignore good speeches and debates in Parliament and focuses only on disruptions.

Mahajan, who has been a strong supporter of the women's reservation bill, asked the gathering to look at the quality of the work done by women MPs in the current Lok Sabha.

She suggested that there should be 'tailor made jobs' for women who work and also handle homes.

Mahajan also appealed to all political parties to come together for passing "in a respectful manner" the bill to give 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and state legislatures.

Disruptions led to the loss of more than 127 hours of the 2018 Budget Session in the Lok Sabha with just 0.58 per cent of starred questions answered during 29 sittings before the House adjourned sine die on April 6.

The Monsoon session of Parliament normally convenes in the second week of July.