New Delhi, Aug 11 (Inditop.com) Silence is golden. That holds true for first time MPs, who mostly sat quietly and observed how the heavyweights conducted themselves in the 26-day budget session, as they mentally prepared for their turn during the winter sitting.
Cricketer-turned-politician Mohammed Azharuddin was among the many silent first-timers who spent more time observing the house transact its business than speaking. For him, this was net practice and the real game will begin in the winter session.
This was the story with most of the 300 first-time MPs in a house of 543 seats.
“It was a wonderful experience. It was a learning process. I learnt a lot about the functioning of the house. I hope I will be able to perform well in the winter session,” said Azharuddin, Congress MP from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh.
But he feels that mere participation in the house is no solution, but actual work is.
“I have not asked many questions, I can ask a lot of questions. How to solve the problem of the people in my constituency is my major concern.”
“But I don’t think asking questions alone could solve the problems of the people,” Azharuddin told Inditop.
A study conducted by PRS Legislative Research says the participation of first-timers and young MPs was below average and worse than their elders. The first-term MPs form a significant section of each party (59 percent on an average).
Actress-turned-MP Shatabdi Roy, 40, another first-time parliamentarian, says she is “still scared” when it comes to the business of the house but wants to be an active part of it.
“I want to learn more. I want to actively participate in the proceedings of the house. I want to learn more about legislative business,” said the Trinamool Congress MP from Birbhum in West Bengal.
Roy finds the parliamentary performance of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal and Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani and his deputy Sushma Swaraj exemplary.
“I am a fan of Kapil Sibal. He speaks well and convinces the members with his argument,” she said.
Kerala Congress MP Jose K. Mani thinks the most important business of parliament is legislation.
“I am thinking of how best I can contribute in (discussion on) important legislation,” said Jose, the lone member of the party. He represents Kottayam in the Lok Sabha.
“Pranab Mukherjee, Jairam Ramesh and Sharad Yadav were very impressive,” said Jose.
According to VCK leader from Tamil Nadu Thol Thirumaavalavan, he saw unity among MPs on the basis of regional interest when it related to the development of their states, except among those from Tamil Nadu.
“MPs from all states cutting across party lines get united in the house when it comes to the development of their state. I saw it among the MPs from Bihar and even from West Bengal where the Marxists and Trinamool Congress are fighting each other.
“But I couldn’t see such unity among the Tamil Nadu MPs. They are even divided over issues like displaced Sri Lankan Tamils and the Mullaiperiyar dam,” said Thirumaavalavan, who represents Chidambaram constituency.
“Performance of the three Yadav leaders, Lalu Prasad, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sharad Yadav was very impressive. Advani and the Marxist MPs also played a very constructive role in the house,” Thirumaavalavan said.
Newly-elected Samajwadi Party MP Ghansyam Anuragi said he was able to successfully present the sufferings of the people of Bundelkhand before the house.
“Now the entire country knows about the sufferings of the people of Bundelkhand. It is a drought-hit area. People are suffering very much. I will again try to bring to the notice of the house the sufferings of the people of the region,” said Anuragi, who represents Jalaun constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
