Legislatures should function in true spirit of democracy: VP

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today expressed concern over frequent disruptions in Parliament and said legislatures should function smoothly in the spirit of true democracy.

The treasury benches and the opposition should take up debates, without allowing disruptions, to make effective laws for the people, said Naidu who by virtue of being the VP also presides over the Rajya Sabha as its chairman.

"Pranab Mukherjee (former president) had said 'discuss, debate and decide'. 3 Ds. No 4th D. The fourth D is disrupt.

We need to keep that in mind," he said.

He was speaking at a state reception organised for him by the Telangana government on the lawns of the Raj Bhavan here.

"Government proposes, opposition opposes, House disposes.

Either this way or that way. That is the guiding principle," he said.

Concerns had been expressed over frequent disruptions in the functioning of Parliament in recent times, Naidu said.

He sought to drive home the point that not only Parliament but Legislative Assemblies and Councils in states should also function effectively.

"The local Sabha should get inspiration from the Lok Sabha," he said.

Noting that development and prosperity of the country were the ultimate goal of all, he said parties and public representatives at all levels needed to introspect and strive towards realising 'Ram Rajya' (ideal state) dreamt by Mahatma Gandhi.

The 'Ram Rajya' does not mean any "religious state", he said.

He said "inclusive growth" under which everybody felt that they were a part of the development process should be the aim.

He said the prime minister had called for working in a spirit of 'Team India' for achieving the objective.

The vice president said the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangna N Chandrababu Naidu and K Chandrasekhar Rao respectively, should work together in the interest of the people in both the Telugu-speaking states.

Naidu, who was accorded a traditional felicitation marked by blessings of Vedic pundits, stressed that Telugu should be promoted for the culture of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to flourish.

He, however, said promotion of Telugu did not mean opposition to other languages.

Learning English was important to get employment, he said, adding that the country's diversity should be celebrated.

Naidu also said he, who was used to meeting people as a politician, felt a bit uncomfortable in his new role as the office of vice president was characterised by protocol.

He said he was trying to "overcome" the situation.

Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana E S L Narasimhan, Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Rao and a number of other leaders and dignitaries attended the event.

Narasimhan hoped that the Upper House of Parliament would be a "functional Rajya Sabha" with Naidu presiding over it.

Rao and Dattatreya said it was a matter of pride for Telugus that Naidu came to occupy the second highest Constitutional office in the country.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)