NEW DELHI, Sep 10: The Congress on Wednesday extended best wishes to vice president-elect C P Radhakrishnan and recalled first vice president Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s words in the Rajya Sabha in 1952 that a democracy is likely to “degenerate into a tyranny if it does not allow the opposition groups to criticise fairly, freely, and frankly the policies of the government”.
The opposition party asserted that Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan practised what he preached, both in letter and spirit.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “While extending its best wishes to Shri C P Radhakrishnan, the newly-elected Vice President of India who will also be the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Indian National Congress recalls the wise words of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the very first Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.” “On the opening day of the Rajya Sabha on May 16, 1952, the very eminent philosopher-educationist-author-diplomat had said:
‘I belong to no party, and that means I belong to every party in this House. It shall be my endeavour to uphold the traditions, the highest traditions, of parliamentary democracy and act towards each party with fairness and impartiality with ill-will to none and goodwill to all….
A democracy is likely to degenerate into a tyranny if it does not allow the opposition groups to criticise fairly, freely, and frankly the policies of the Government’,” Ramesh posted on X.
“Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan practised what he preached, both in letter and spirit,” he added.
Vice President-elect C P Radhakrishnan who will also be Rajya Sabha chairperson should accept notices given by opposition parties and not censor them, TMC MP Derek O’Brien said on Wednesday while putting forward a raft of suggestions.
Radhakrishnan, who was voted into office on Tuesday, should ensure that more bills are sent for scrutiny, O’Brien said in a lengthy blogpost. Mass suspensions should not happen, he added.
“Good wishes to the newly elected Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan. Eight suggestions for the new Vice President, who will also serve as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha,” the Rajya Sabha MP said.
The TMC leader said an important tool that enables MPs in the opposition to hold the Union government accountable is submitting notices seeking discussions on important issues.
“In the eight years between 2009 and 2016, 110 notices were admitted into the Rajya Sabha for discussions. In the next eight years, between 2017 and 2024, that number dropped to an abysmal 36,” he said.
He said Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha states that a member may ask the Chair to suspend the business listed for the day, and instead take up a discussion on an issue of urgent national importance.
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha Leader John Brittas said the new chairman should make sure the Opposition is also carried along and gets the time and space it deserves. (PTI)
