Missing desirable discourse in Lok Sabha elections

Lok Sabha elections miss spotlight on desirable attributes of parliamentarians

By R Narayanan

New Delhi, April 21: During electioneering, we have seen, on a number of occasions, in order to catch the eyes of the voters, the candidates used to serve tea, make roti, lift the sack and serve the meals, sweep the floor – all kinds of gimmickries only to get the votes of the people.

They contest the elections for becoming Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha). Each MP is a lawmaker. He decides whether a law should be made or not.

Just imagine not even one percentage of the contestants know what is a Bill; what is an Act; what is a Law; what is a Code; what is a Regulation; how a Bill is Passed; how much majority is required for getting a Bill passed; who prepares the Bill; and how the Bill is analysed; and who is the ultimate authority to pass a Bill.

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During the 17^th Lok Sabha, in its term of five years, as many as 259 Bills were introduced and passed by the House. The Members elected to the House are expected to participate in the discussion on the merit/demerit of such Bills.

No doubt, the MPs are guided by the so called ‘High Command’. How many candidates know about the gist of the Bill? How many people know about NEET.

Why some State Governments oppose the Bill. Why the Central Government is insisting on the conduct of NEET examination.

Similarly, what is Citizenship Amendment Act 2019. Why is this under judicial review now. Whether they are aware that the Rajya Sabha passed Pharmacy Amendment Bill within three minutes of the start of discussion.

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No Member was allowed to speak on the Bill, since it was passed amid, intense, chaos and protest. Similarly, the entire budget of 2023, amounting to more than ₹45 lakh crores, was passed within eight minutes without any discussion or without any scrutiny in Parliament through a process called Guillotine.

Before voting for a candidate, as a citizen of this country, are we not expected to know whether the candidates contesting for the election know elementary requirement of a Bill which they are going to discuss.

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About The Author

rnarayanan

Mr R Narayanan is a veteran parliament observer. He worked as an advisor to several of Union Ministers since 1990s. He is also a public administration expert. Mr Narayanan is also a Constitution expert.

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