New Delhi, Nov 26: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said all parliamentarians are defenders of the dignity of the Parliament, whether they represent the ruling party or the opposition.
The President was speaking at a function to celebrate Constitution Day in the Central Hall of Parliament.
The President called opposition “the most important element of democracy”.
“Without an effective opposition, democracy becomes ineffective. It is expected that the Government and the opposition, despite their differences, continue to work together in the best interests of the citizens. Our constitution makers had envisioned this and it is also necessary for nation-building,” he said.
The comments came at the event which was boycotted by Opposition parties. President Kovind said Parliament is at the apex of India’s democratic system.
“All MPs gather here to discuss issues related to public interest along with making laws. In fact, the elected representatives of the Gram Sabha, the Vidhan Sabha and the Parliament should have only one priority,” he said.
He said the “singular priority” of Parliamentarians should be to work the welfare of all the people of their constituencies and for the interest of the nation.
“There may be differences of opinion, but no difference should be so great as to hinder the real purpose of public service. It is natural for members of the ruling party and the opposition to compete – but this competition should be about being better representatives and doing better things for the public good. Only then will it be considered healthy competition.”
“Competition in Parliament should not be confused with rivalry. We all believe that our Parliament is a ‘Temple of Democracy’. Therefore, it becomes the responsibility of every parliamentarian to conduct themselves in this temple of democracy with the same spirit of reverence with which they do in their places of worship,” he said.
The event was boycotted by 14 opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool, Left parties, SP, BSP, RJD, Shiv Sena, NCP, IUML, and DMK.
UNI
