Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi today raised questions over the practice of political parties' issuing whips which prevent members of parliament from raising questions related to their constituencies.
Speaking at an event here, the veteran leader who is a member of BJP's 'margdarshak mandal' said that he often thinks about the scenario where a member wants to raise a question related to his or her constituency but the whip issued by the party tells not do so.
"Now if I listen to the whip, my constituency gets angry. And if I listen to the constituency, the party gets angry. This basic question needs to be pondered over that where and when should the whip be applied," Joshi said.
He added that while "discipline is is fine", but if it hinders the democratic process then its limitations should be pondered over.
"Maybe you will say that if there is threat to your party government's survival, the whip should be allowed. But if it is a constituency matter which is a bit different from your party's policies, this is a question on which I often think about," Joshi said.
He was speaking at the launch of book 'The Indian Parliament - beyond the seal and signature of Democracy' by Additional Secretary in Lok Sabha Devender Singh where Congress leader and chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee K V Thomas and BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab were also present.
In his speech, Thomas also raised a point about parties issuing whips saying that it should not be done for the discussions in Parliamentary committees.
Joshi, who also heads the Estimates committee of the Parliament also said that he felt that budget of the Parliament is less and needs to be substantially increased so that it can hold the government accountable more effectively.
"I am not talking about increasing the salaries of MPs in this, though I am not averse to it", he added in a lighter vein.
Joshi lauded the work done in Parliamentary committees
saying that while the Parliament is a kind of show, a lot of substantial work is accomplished in these committees.
He said people often ask the question as to what MPs do but a lot of work is done by them in the committee meetings.
In his speech Thomas said that interruptions have no part in Parliamentary proceedings but added that uninterrupted parliament proceedings are an ideal situation.
Where the situation demands, interruptions become a necessity and is seen as legitimate tool in the hands of MPs, he said emphasising that both the government and opposition are equally responsible for smooth functioning.
"We should not forget that the whole country is watching us and they will decided who is right and who is wrong," he added.
He also suggested that for one hour every fortnight the Prime Minister should answer questions related to all ministries in the Parliament.
Thomas also stressed that all Bill should be referred to standing committees and suggestions considered seriously.
He also said that discussion in Parliamentary Standing Committees on examination of demand for grants and the bill should not be on party lines and no whip should be issued in this regard.
He also suggested that except Constitutional amendment bills, other legislations should be passed by absolute majority and not simple majority.
Mahtab lauded Singh for writing the book and spoke about how parliamentary procedures have been evolving.
