'I understand Advaniji's pain,' says Sumitra Mahajan

Sumitra Mahajan said that she understood LK Advani's pain over Parliament disruptions

New Delhi, Dec 15: Hours after BJP veteran expressed his anguish over stalling of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Thursday said she understands his "pain" and decried the disturbances caused by members.

"I understand Advaniji's pain," Mahajan said while releasing a book on former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar here.

With Advani in the audience, the Speaker said Parliament is meant to be a forum for healthy debates and it is the duty of MPs to engage in discussion rather than disruptions. The reality is, however, opposite when the proceedings are not running as per the expectations, she said.

Advani, a member of Lok Sabha, on the penultimate day of the Winter Session of Parliament on Thursday said "I feel like resigning". The veteran parliamentarian gave vent to his pain and anguish soon after the Speaker adjourned the House for the day amid ruckus in the House.

Remaining seated in his front seat, Advani first narrated his feelings to Minister Smriti Irani, who in turn drew the attention of Home Minister Rajnath Singh standing nearby.

Singh appeared to give a patient hearing to the veteran leader, but was seen hardly reacting. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, who had earlier targeted the Opposition over the disruptions, had by then left the House.

Advani was heard telling the Home Minister to convey to the Speaker that she should ensure the House runs tomorrow to have a discussion on note ban. "If it does not happen and Parliament is adjourned sine die without discussion (on demonetisation), it will be considered a washout," he told Idris Ali (TMC) and two other BJP MPs, including Nana Patole.

He was heard remarking that even today, talks should be held with the opposition, especially Congress, on ensuring a smooth debate tomorrow.

Advani insisted that discussion should be held under whatever rule and no one should see it as a "victory or defeat" for his side, suggesting if Parliament is adjourned sine die without any debate, it will be a defeat of Parliament.

Mahajan, while speaking at the book release function, observed that MPs, as representatives of people, are expected to raise the issues concerning the public on the floor of the House.

She hoped that the new members would imbibe the healthy traditions of the Parliamentary democracy from leaders like Chandra Shekhar.

She highlighted that the impressive speeches delivered by Chandra Shekhar in Parliament were of high standard and people always listened to them in rapt attention.

PTI