MPs should keep national interest in mind: Sumitra Mahajan

New Delhi, June 6: Parliament should be known for holding healthy discussions and debates like earlier, new Lok Sabha Speaker

said on Friday and appealed to members for their cooperation in running the house in an orderly manner.

Addressing the house after her unanimous election, the eight-time BJP MP from Indore, also said that MPs should keep the national interest in mind while raising issues related to their region.

"I appeal to everyone to hold discussions in a calm manner. Our parliament was known for good discussions. We have strayed from that, healthy discussions should be the norm now," she said, addressing the house in Hindi.

She said: "The Lok Sabha is a sign of our diversity and unity, and emblem of our national sentiments. We can't dwell on our regional sentiment and must keep national sentiments in mind."

PM Narendra Modi praised Mahajan and said that it was a matter of pride that a woman was appointed as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha in the world's largest democracy.

IANS