We had no other option
Before I offer my views on the issue, let me quote what President Pranab Mukherjee observed very recently. He said, “When Parliament fails in discharging its law-making... it breaches the trust reposed in it by the people. This is not good for democracy... Dissent is a recognised democratic expression, but disruption leads to loss of time and resources, and paralyses policy formulation... In parliamentary democracy, the majority has the mandate to rule while the Opposition has the right to oppose, expose.. But, under no circumstances should there be disruption. A noisy minority cannot be allowed to gag a patient majority.”
The government has every right to issue ordinances whenever it feels it is necessary. We have only exercised the option like many gov- ernments in the past had. A total of 637 ordinances were issued during the last 62 years. This works out to 11 ordinances per year. Of the total, 456 ordinances were issued during the Congress rule of about 50 years.
Even the first PM Jawaharlal Nehru got 70 ordinances. Indira Gandhi got 77 ordinances issued during 1971-77 at the rate of three every two months. Rajiv Gandhi was responsible for 35 ordinances. Even P.V. Narasimha Rao got 77 ordinances issued.
The CPM which is now opposing the ordinances was silent when the short-lived United Front government issued 77 ordinances during 199698.
We have no intention of misusing the Constitutional provisions. But, we had to issue them when we were left with no option, that too on issues concerning public interest.
For example, the land acquisition ordinance is to make acquiring land easier. The coal mines ordinance was necessary to enable the e-auction.
The Congress and other parties can grill the government on other issues, but should enable us to pass important proposals. We are willing to sit with the Opposition.
The Congress should keep in mind that creating obstructions while in the Opposition and saying something else while in government is not proper.
After all others can also play the game. I have always said, the ruling party proposes, let the House discuss, debate and decide but not disrupt.
The Congress should keep in mind that creating obstructions while in the Opposition and saying something else while in government is not proper.