VP concerned over political discourse reaching a new low

: Vice PresidentM Venkaiah Naidu Saturday expressed concern over political discourse reaching a new low in recent years and called for reversing the trend at the earliest.

"It is a matter of concern that political discourse is reaching a new low in recent years.We should reverse this trend at the earliest.

A credible opposition is an essential prop for a healthy democracy. People in public life should understand that they are only rivals, not enemies.

I have often been quoting Pranab Da's (former President Pranab Mukherjee) mantra-- 'Discuss, Debate and Decide but not Disturb'," he said.

Naidu, who was speaking at the Hyderabad Management Association's 46th Annual Awards function here, also expressed concern over frequent disruptions in Parliament and state legislatures, an official release quoted him as saying.

The Vice President said legislatures beingreduced into 'disruptive platforms' was a clear negation of the vision of those who framed the Constitution.

"In a way, it is an affront to the spirit of the Constitution of India.

It is apathy towards the hopes and aspirations of the people. It is an utter disregard for peoples mandate. It is a betrayal of the peoples faith in these pillars of democracy."
Observing that dysfunctional legislatures would strengthen the demand for 'recall of legislators', he said, "I am afraid that we are moving towards that stage."
Observing that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was a revolutionary taxation measure, he lauded the managerial and leadership skills of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in bringing 17-year-long discussions to fruition under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi