In reply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address before the start of the Budget session 2024 on Wednesday where had urged all members to contribute positively and not to undermine democratic values, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that it was Modi’s government that is corroding parliamentary democracy.
In his statement, Kharge mentioned that during the Winter Session in December 2023, as many as 14 Bills were passed in the Parliament in just three days by suspending 146 members from both Houses. 64 out of the 172 Bills have been passed in the current Lok Sabha while as many as 61 Bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha with less than an hour of discussion, he added.
The Congress President accused the government of violating the Constitution, and strangulating the voice of the Opposition by not appointing a Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, which is reserved for an Opposition Member, in its entire five-year term.
Further, he pointed out that the 17th Lok Sabha will be setting a record for having the least number of sittings in its five-years term.
Kharge also rubbished the Prime Minister’s claim that his government has passed the record number of Bills. Kharge said that the UPA government had passed 153 more Bills in both Houses when it was in power despite the widespread disruptions by the BJP.
The Congress chief maintained that data shows that most interruptions in Parliament occurred during the 15th Lok Sabha (2009-2014) when the BJP was the principal opposition party.
Read more: hBudget Session 2024: PM Modi urges MPs contribute positively to debates in Parliament
