New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Tuesday urged a review of the House’s rules of procedure and code of conduct.
He made the remarks during a farewell event held in the Rajya Sabha for senior MP Harivansh Narayan Singh, who is serving as Deputy Chairman and is completing his term. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior members also spoke on the occasion.
Kharge said the House must ensure that important issues and pressing problems are taken up for discussion. He also called for the Rajya Sabha to sit for more days, and for greater participation of opposition members in the law-making process.
Stressing the role of Parliament in reflecting public concerns, he said debates should be held on issues affecting people, with more opportunities to raise matters related to the poor, marginalised sections, farmers and workers. He added that when the opposition raises such issues, ruling party members often treat them as criticism and dismiss them without fully listening.
Kharge also noted that the Constitution gives every MP the freedom to express views without fear, and urged the government to take people’s problems into account.
