The winter session

Opposition parties need space to express their opinions on matters of importance. In this, the Speaker and the Parliamentary Affairs Minister need to be more open and liberal-minded. But how far the Opposition in both Houses of Parliament will cooperate with the government in passing a range of important Bills remains to be seen (“

>Storm clouds over winter session ,” Nov.24). Some of them may want to highlight certain issues and disrupt the normal working of the House. The BJP, being the ruling party, will now have to face the ire of the Opposition — a classic case of reversal of roles.

D.B.N. Murthy,

Bengaluru

Our founding fathers did not think of proposing exemplary penalties on political parties wantonly refusing to be a part of the system at every stage, believing that MPs/leaders of parties would behave in a responsible manner. The reference is to some Opposition parties boycotting an all-party meeting ahead of the winter session, on flimsy grounds. These parties should realise that they enjoy many of their perks at the people’s cost. The Speaker should pull up errant members of the House and even bar them from taking part in the session. This will send out a strong message to all political parties.

M. Swaminathan,

Chennai