The Hindu Business Line : Session of controversies

The Budget session of Parliament, which ended rather abruptly, was unusual for reasons more than one. Perhaps for the first time, the President's customary address to the joint sitting contained an advice that was plainly political. For another, the reply by the Prime Minister to the motion of thanks to the President's address was lost in the din of a protesting Opposition.

In a clear allusion to the squandering of legislative time, Dr Abdul Kalam told the lawmakers: "Time is precious, please do not waste it. This is an important session of Parliament. The people of our country, who have sent you here as their representatives, sincerely hope that you will make the best use of the time available to represent their interests... "

It was an extraordinary observation by the head of state, and reflects the depths to which political discourse has slumped in the country's highest democratic forum. In the last phase of the session, the Opposition virtually hijacked all business, including a crucial discussion on India's vote against Iran at the IAEA.

The Budget session came to an abrupt end following the `office-of-profit' controversy. The session, scheduled to recess from March 22 and meet again from May 10 ran into rough weather after a sudden decision to adjourn it sine die. The Opposition saw in it a ploy to promulgate an ordinance to save the membership of Ms Sonia Gandhi under the "office of profit" clause. Then the Government launched an "operation clean-up".

It called a Parliament session from May 10 to 22. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr P. R. Das Munshi, tried to explain the mishandling of the issue, but cut no ice as it was clear that the Opposition was never consulted in adjourning Parliament sine die. It was another matter that the brains-trust in the government emerged with egg on its face as Ms Sonia Gandhi made nonsense of the ordinance plan by resigning as an MP and as chairperson of the NAC.

(The author is a New-Delhi-based freelance writer.)

R. C. Rajamani