50 yrs 8212; Special House session dropped

NEW DELHI, DEC 27: Apprehending demands for sweeping changes in the Constitution from members of the ruling alliance, the Government has d...

NEW DELHI, DEC 27: Apprehending demands for sweeping changes in the Constitution from members of the ruling alliance, the Government has dropped plans of having a special session of Parliament from January 26 next year.The BJP-led Government had convened a special three-day session from August 15 last year to commemorate the golden jubilee of the country8217;s Independence. The session had witnessed a free-wheeling discussion on the progress made during the past 50 years and the measures needed to speed up development of the country.

The BJP, as well as some partners of the ruling coalition, had wanted to have a similar session to discuss the relevance of the Constitution framed 50 years ago and whether there was a need to change its basic framework.Knowing well that such a demand would be vehemently opposed by the Opposition and the session would be chaotic, the Government is learnt to have shelved its plans for the special session.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan admitted that there had been aplan for a special session to commemorate the golden jubilee of the Indian Republic but gave other reasons for dropping the plan.

8220;As a convention, the first session of the year normally the Budget session of Parliament opens with the presidential address followed by a vote of thanks to the President. Since the special session should have been subject-specific, there was no scope for a discussion on the vote of thanks,8221; Mahajan told The Indian Express.

After addressing Parliament at the start of the special session, the President is supposed to deliver his customary address at the beginning of the Budget session. That would mean two lengthy discussions on vote of thanks to the President, said another senior BJP leader.

But hardliners within the party term the reasons as 8220;only lame-duck excuses8221; being offered by the Government to avoid the 8220;embarrassment8221; of facing demands of constitutional reforms.

8220;Our Constitution has a British lineage and was suited for a colonial regime. It8217;s a pity thatwe have failed to have a Constitution tailor-made for our needs even after 52 years of Independence,8221; said a senior BJP leader, considered to be a hardliner.