Parliament should function despite differences: PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Let Parliament function smoothly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told an all-party meeting ahead of the Budget session, even as the government turned down Congress’ demand that the Budget presentation be postponed for the sake of free and fair polls to the five states.

Modi told the Opposition at the meeting that despite the differences that could come to the fore during the poll season, they should let Parliament — which he called a Mahapanchayat — function.

His remarks hold significance as the winter session saw a virtual washout due to protests over the overnight withdrawal of high denomination currency notes.

The Trinamool Congress stayed away from the meeting and also announce that it would not attend the President’s customary address to the joint sitting of the two Houses and the Budget presentation.

TMC leader Derek O’Brien gave Saraswati Puja as the reason for his party’s decision. Speaking to re porters, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said during the meeting PM Modi sought support of all parties and said “in election time, there can be some differences among us, but Parliament is a Mahapanchayat. It should function.”

Kumar claimed all parties responded positively and said that they want the House to function smoothly.

Rejecting the Opposition’s allegation that government should not have advanced the session as early presentation of the Union Budget will impact the level playing field during upcoming state assembly elections, the minister said the Supreme Court and Election Commission had already given their verdict on this.

“The government’s efforts will be that the Budget should benefit all and take the country forward,” Kumar said.