Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday termed enhancing the dignity of Parliament the need of the hour, and exhorted NDA MPs to contribute to the effective functioning of the legislature.
He was speaking at a meeting of NDA MPs at the G.M.C. Balayogi auditorium on the eve of the vice-presidential polls, in which M. Venkaiah Naidu will be the NDA’s candidate. He also released two volumes of speeches and writings of Mr. Naidu entitled Tireless Voice-Relentless Journey .
‘Crucial period’
Mr. Modi emphasised that the current government had a full majority after 30 years and could contribute in a substantial measure to nation building.
“I consider the period of 2017-22 as being as important as the period between 1942-47, that got us our freedom. In this, the new President and the soon to be elected Vice-President will be from the NDA, and therefore can do much for the country,” he said. “It is the first time since Independence that this is happening,” he said.
He added that the NDA had its own line that could in concert do much to raise the dignity of Parliament. “The supremacy of Parliament is already enshrined in the Constitution, we need to enhance its dignity,” he said. “By our good behaviour and concern for raising issues related to people we can overcome the sense of disappointment people feel with politics and politicians,” he said.
He said the Upper House needed to reflect on how it could guide the aspirations of 125 crore Indians and be inspired by the spirit of the discussions in the Constituent Assembly about the role of the Rajya Sabha.
He said the country was fortunate to have the benefit of leadership of Mr. Venkaiah Naidu in the House. “By marking a vertical line against the name of Shri Naidu in the ballot paper, we resolve to stand by him like a rock for the next five years,” he added.
