PM urges parties to reach consensus on simultaneous polls

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Addressing floor leaders of parties in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha here on December 14, 2017, ahead of Winter Session of Parliament beginning on December 15, PM Narendra Modi said that it is important that all Political Parties facilitate constructive discussion on issues of national importance.

Modi said that policy making in the country benefits from constructive criticism by all political parties and Government welcomes deliberations on the floor of both the Houses on all issues raised by the leaders present during the meeting. The Prime Minister also urged all parties to form a National consensus on the issue of simultaneous elections of State Assemblies and the Parliament every five years.

Modi requested all the parties to rise above political considerations on this issue so that development projects may be implemented across the country in full force rather than being interrupted by frequent elections. Prime Minister added that constructive discussions in parliament would help policy making, according to a PIB release.

A host of issues were brought up by the leaders of parties during the meeting. There was a consensus across party lines on ensuring smooth functioning of the Parliament without disruptions and deadlocks to be resolved through constructive discussions in both the Houses.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananthkumar later briefing media persons said that the Government has requested all parties, especially the opposition, for their co-operation for the smooth functioning of the House. The Minister informed that all parties were in favour of a productive Winter session. The Government is always ready to discuss on the floor of the House, any issue as permitted under Rules of Procedure, he added. Ananthkumar informed that the Winter Session 2017 of Parliament is scheduled to be held from December 15, 2017, and subject to exigencies of Government Business, the Session may conclude on January 5, 2018. The Minister said that the Session will provide a total of 14 sittings spread over a period of 21 days.

The all-Party meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Statistics & Programme Implementation Vijay Goel, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources, River development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Arjun Ram Meghwal, along with other Ministers.