Presence in Parliament is basic responsibility: PM tells his MPs

Modi is said to have spoken on the issue after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar raised concerns over incidents of lack of quorum in both the Houses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is thoroughly disappointed with his MPs and their absence during Parliament sessions. Making his disappointment clear, the prime minister is said to have minced no words in pulling BJP members up and asking them to be present during sessions. The lack of quorum has often caused delays in Parliament and Modi does not approve of the same, according to his statements during a BJP parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday.

The prime minister is said to have told the members to ensure their presence in parliament and also warning that he can call any of them at any time. Modi was also quoted as stating that 'attending Parliament is their basic responsibility and that he could do a lot of things but cannot be present in the houses on their behalf.'

Modi is said to have spoken on the issue after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar raised concerns over incidents of lack of quorum in both the Houses. Modi is said to have told the lawmakers that attending parliament was not a matter of request but basic responsibility.

BJP leaders who were part of the meeting later told the media, that Modi pulled them up for being present in the Central Hall, where lawmakers often meet for informal conversation, but refusing to sit inside the houses. "I can call any of you, anytime," he told them, a member said, adding that PM Modi sounded unhappy over absenteeism.

Likening the lawmakers' absence in Parliament to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh complaining of cadres not attending shakas, Modi is said to have asked the MPs to carry out their duties as representatives of the people who voted them to power.
"As representatives of lakhs of people of their constituency, it is their job to attend the house proceedings," he is said to have conveyed to the members.

OneIndia News