Houses see a united India
There was an ascetic calm in Parliament on Thursday. For a change, verbal missiles did not fly across benches. Instead, arch-rivals even had a word of praise for each other at times.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: There was an ascetic calm in Parliament on Thursday. For a change, verbal missiles did not fly across benches. Instead, arch-rivals even had a word of praise for each other at times.
Post-Mumbai terror, parliamentarians devoted themselves to sending the ���united we stand��� message. When both Houses debated terror, an issue on which tempers would generally run high, political differences were subdued.
There was nearly pin-drop silence in the packed Houses when home minister P Chidambaram made an opening statement and later when external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee intervened ��� both saying the finger of suspicion pointed towards Pakistan. In the post-lunch session, even though the attendance was less, the sombre mood remained.
Tough talking by the ministers was welcomed by parties left, right and centre. Opposition parties complimented the ministers in their speeches. While BJP���s V K Malhotra said he was pleased to hear the tough language, Shiv Sena member Anant Geete appreciated the fact that the home minister had accepted intelligence failure and apologised for the Mumbai attacks.
Unlike in most crucial debates during recent times, members on both sides refrained from disrupting speeches and political browbeating. Even Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who is generally a favourite target of Opposition taunts, was allowed to make his speech without interruptions. On his part, Mr Gandhi, who tried to emphasise on a young politician���s anger over the approach to an individual���s life in India, refrained from giving political colour to his speech. So did most members.
Differences in approach to terror, however, had not disappeared. They reflected in speeches on both sides. While the Opposition said the terror attacks had led to a war-like situation, the government ruled out military action.
Parliament was divided over the government���s move to approach UNSC on Pakistan���s involvement with the BJP opposing it and the Left seeking international support on the issue of terrorism. Mr Mukherjee said he agreed with BJP and the Left. The BJP and some other NDA parties persisted with their demand for a stringent law like Pota. The Left said it
was opposed to it.
But the differences paled for once, as all agreed and decided to speak in one voice ��� to send the message across the world that the country will not tolerate repeated assaults on India.
Post-Mumbai terror, parliamentarians devoted themselves to sending the ���united we stand��� message. When both Houses debated terror, an issue on which tempers would generally run high, political differences were subdued.
There was nearly pin-drop silence in the packed Houses when home minister P Chidambaram made an opening statement and later when external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee intervened ��� both saying the finger of suspicion pointed towards Pakistan. In the post-lunch session, even though the attendance was less, the sombre mood remained.
Tough talking by the ministers was welcomed by parties left, right and centre. Opposition parties complimented the ministers in their speeches. While BJP���s V K Malhotra said he was pleased to hear the tough language, Shiv Sena member Anant Geete appreciated the fact that the home minister had accepted intelligence failure and apologised for the Mumbai attacks.
Unlike in most crucial debates during recent times, members on both sides refrained from disrupting speeches and political browbeating. Even Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who is generally a favourite target of Opposition taunts, was allowed to make his speech without interruptions. On his part, Mr Gandhi, who tried to emphasise on a young politician���s anger over the approach to an individual���s life in India, refrained from giving political colour to his speech. So did most members.
Differences in approach to terror, however, had not disappeared. They reflected in speeches on both sides. While the Opposition said the terror attacks had led to a war-like situation, the government ruled out military action.
ADVERTISEMENT
Parliament was divided over the government���s move to approach UNSC on Pakistan���s involvement with the BJP opposing it and the Left seeking international support on the issue of terrorism. Mr Mukherjee said he agreed with BJP and the Left. The BJP and some other NDA parties persisted with their demand for a stringent law like Pota. The Left said it
was opposed to it.
But the differences paled for once, as all agreed and decided to speak in one voice ��� to send the message across the world that the country will not tolerate repeated assaults on India.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
