Those rejected 80-90 times are stalling Parliament: PM Modi ahead of winter session

As the winter session of Parliament commenced on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the opposition saying “people rejected 80 to 90 times by voters are stalling Parliament, snatching the rights of other MPs and disregarding the aspirations of masses.”

In his customary address ahead of the session, the PM began by saying the atmosphere in the “winter session was likely to be cold” and concluded his remarks with the hope that the session would be productive, one that further enhances India's rising global prowess, one that is a fitting tribute to the Constitution and one that welcomes new ideas.

“This is the winter session and the atmosphere will also remain cold....,” the PM said.

“Unfortunately a handful of people constantly rejected by the masses are trying to control Parliament through hooliganism. Their own objective is not served beyond stalling Parliament but people count their conduct and punish them when the time comes,” he said.

The Prime Minister lamented that the conduct of a handful of MPs was snatching the rights of new members who are unable to speak in the Houses.

“In a democracy, every generation's duty is to nurture the next generation. But those rejected by people 80 to 90 times are neither allowing discussions in Parliament, nor respecting democracy, nor understanding the aspirations of people nor their duties towards the people.

The result is they are never able to meet people's expectations and people are having to reject them repeatedly,” Modi said just two days after the ruling BJP-led the NDA to a historic win in Maharashtra even as the JMM-led INDIA bloc retained power in Jharkhand.

Modi said this session of Parliament is special as it coincides with the commencement of the 75th year of our Constitution and offers a bright opportunity to together celebrate the occasion.

“Constitution makers had discussed every nuance in detail. That is how we got this fitting document. An important element of our Constitution is our Parliament and MPs...The condition of democracy is that we honour people's mandate, and work hard to meet their expectations. Some opposition MPs want smooth working of the Parliament but those constantly rejected by people continue to disregard even their colleagues' wishes and the spirit of democracy,” he said.

The PM said today the world was looking at India hopefully and at this juncture MPs should use the Parliament to further enhance India's image in the world.

“Our conduct should be such which strengthens India's global image. It is rare for the country to have the opportunity it has today. Parliament should send a message about the maturity of our voters. Call of the time is to repent our lost chances and time. And the only way we can repent is by conducting healthy discussions in Parliament,” the PM said to Opposition colleagues who planned to disrupt proceedings demanding discussions on a US court's indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani and the ongoing Manipur violence.