The Hindu Business Line : Complete the reform mission, Mr Speaker

IT WAS an ominous return to the not-so-good old days in Parliament last week — walkouts, anger over the absence of Cabinet ministers, members trooping into the well of the House, all climaxing in the Speaker's threat to resign.

It must be admitted, however, there was no major breakdown of legislative business, though both the Houses witnessed a few brief adjournments. That was good going, judging by what we were used to witnessing in recent years.

Reforms cannot be thrust on anyone or any institution, long used to a particular way. Reforms will have to be administered in small, but effective doses, giving time for the medicine to work.

The Speaker, Mr Somnath Chatterjee, began his work as the Legislative Apothecary in right earnest. His medicine, some sugarcoated and some bitter, was working well .

However, allergic reaction from such a complicated body politic as ours was only to be expected. The doctor, however, cannot, throw up his hand and declare, "I cannot treat the patient".

Mr Chatterjee's decision to telecast live the entire day's proceedings was bold and timely. It has begun to have some salutary impact on the behaviour of members. His conduct of Question Hour with a no-nonsense approach to members, who tend to make speeches, rather than ask questions, is making a qualitative difference to the Hour that reflects the pulse of the people.

But one gets somewhat discouraged to see the Speaker throwing up his arms in the face of trouble. For, it is surely not new to him. He has been witness to trouble, far worse and uglier, over the many years he has been a member.

He also knows that all this part of the game, that is in some ways part of Parliament politics. The Chair is there to cool tempers, control emotions and maintain order. This, in effect, is the very reason and logic of the post itself.

By the very nature of the Legislature, it is not realistic to expect things to be hunky dory all the time. Every one, from the great Mavalankar to Manohar Joshi, have all felt the heat of the Speaker' seat.

Mr Chatterjee's immediate provocation to throw up his hands appears to be some BJP members reportedly calling him "a dictator". The BJP has denied this, and maintains that its members, led by the veteran parliamentarian, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had sought adjournment of the House till the Railway Minister, Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav, came and made a statement on the rail accident in Punjab last week.

As per record, the Speaker made the following observation last week: "At the request of the respected Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the Hon. Leader of Opposition, but reluctantly with great sorrow, I had to adjourn the House soon after the Lunch recess.

"Since my assumption of this office, I have tried humbly to the best of my ability to discharge my onerous duties. I have been earnestly requesting all the Hon. Leaders of all the Parties for their help and cooperation for running the House and also seeking guidance from them. I am thankful to all for giving me assurance of their help and cooperation. But in spite of that, the House could not function yesterday after the Question Hour. Further, I have been accused of indulging in tanashah (dictatorship).

"The Chair does not have any prestige any longer and has become totally irrelevant. It has become a matter of agony for me to occupy this Chair which I never expected to do, far less solicited.

"So long as I am here, I shall try my best to discharge my duties and functions according to the Rules of Procedure and my conscience. If Members are not happy with the present incumbent, I shall have no regrets in leaving it. I was happier facing the Chair than occupying it."

Agreed, he may have been driven to making such a disturbing statement. But, then, he knew what to expect when he took up the job, albeit reluctantly. He must find comfort that he enjoys the full support of the majority in Parliament and people outside for his reformist mission. Complete the mission, Mr Speaker Sir.

(The author, a former Deputy Editor of PTI, is a New Delhi-based freelance journalist.)