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Monsoon session’s last week : New low in MPs behaviour

	August 28, 2006

The last week of the Monsoon session of Parliament witnessed a new low in MPs behaviour in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, August 24, when Members of the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal almost came to blows and exchanged unparliamentary epithets. JDU member Prabhunath Singh, whose allegation that a relative of Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was involved in a rape case in Bihar set off the fracas, sought to resign from the House, but Speaker Somnath Chatterjee rejected the resignation.



An upset and angry Speaker described the incidents in the House as “condemnable” and warned that “strongest-possible action” would be taken if they were repeated.



After an adjournment and when peace was restored, Lalu Prasad Yadav apologised for the behaviour of RJD MPs but made it clear that no member or minister would remain a silent spectator if he was subjected to invectives.



In response, Prabhunath Singh, Lalu Yadav’s political rival in Bihar, walked up to the Speaker and handed over his resignation. He demanded action against Sadhu Yadav and challenged Lalu Yadav to contest elections against him in his constituency Maharajganj or Yadav’s seat Chhapra.



Singh, whose targeting of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Railways Minister Lalu Yadav in the past had often created trouble in the House, triggered the problem last week when he attacked Yadav while referring to a rape case in Bihar during zero hour. His remarks provoked adjournment of the proceedings and as the members were preparing for the break, Lalu Yadav’s brother-in-law, Sadhu Yadav, a back-bencher, was seen menacingly approaching Prabhunath Singh in the front rows.



Singh’s NDA colleague Braj Bhushan Singh, rushed and blocked Sadhu Yadav’s progress. BJP member MAK Swain, who had also intervened to avoid trouble, earned the wrath of RJD member Rajendra Rana who threw a microphone at him. It failed to hit the target because it was wired. Prabhunath Singh’s remarks infuriated Lalu Yadav, who was heard trading charges.



As the House reassembled, the Speaker said the incident had brought a bad name to Parliament. “Our very existence is for this institution. Let us not destroy it.” After Yadav’s apology, Prabhunath Singh said he had not insulted anyone but said action should be taken against him if he was found guilty.





PM expresses anguish



The Presiding Officers of both Houses of Parliament and the Prime Minister have expressed anguish over the turmoil during the Monsoon session that ended on August 25. They said all political parties should explore the possibility of increasing the efficiency of the process of governance including Parliamentary institutions.



Despite frequent disruptions, Parliament transacted satisfactory business in the Monsoon session. At separate press conferences, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi pointed out that the Lok Sabha passed 17 Bills and the Rajya Sabha 16.



Dasmunsi was grateful to “all party leaders” whose “collective wisdom” helped to bring about order in the Lok Sabha after Thursday’s ugly incidents.



Dasmunsi said it would go down as “the Prime Minister’s leadership session” as Manmohan Singh’s response to the India-United States nuclear issue debate was appreciated by all, cutting across party lines.



Parliament also fulfilled its assurance, setting up a joint committee on the office-of-profit issue that would be notified soon. With the terms of reference already fixed, the committee would go into the larger issue of definition of an office of profit that would finally put the controversy at rest.



Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referred to the “constant focus” of television cameras on parliamentary proceedings and wanted members to conduct themselves in a manner that would enhance the dignity of the institution. Speaking to newspersons after the Lok Sabha adjourned sine die, Chatterjee said that over 36 hours were lost due to interruptions and adjournments.



Referring to Thursday’s fracas in the Lok Sabha in which members nearly came to blows and marshals took up position in the well of the House, the Speaker “strongly deplored” the conduct of the members and “pleaded” that they conduct themselves in a manner “befitting our status.”



In the Rajya Sabha the proceedings closed on a sombre note when the House assembled for the last time at 5 p.m.



Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is also Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, said he “looked back with some satisfaction at the amount of work accomplished despite the turbulent character” of the proceedings. With increased media attention, it was necessary for parliamentarians to function more efficiently, he said.



Somnath Chatterjee said President Abdul Kalam had recently written to him about his indepth handling of the Lok Sabha. In his letter to the Speaker, dated August 17, President Kalam wrote, “Definitely your efforts for the affective functioning of Parliament was important aspect of our Democratic system and deserve successful conclusion.” Chatterjee said the President’s letter has given him a great solace and strength.