Govt committed to review of constitution, says Jethmalani

He said the NDA manifesto and the Government are for speedy marginal changes in the Constitution to meet the requirements of the changing situation.

Moving the resolution, Aggrawal said several important political changes 8212; hung Parliament, multi-party government, defections, growth of political parties and confrontation between three pillars of democracy legislature, executive and judiciary 8212; had taken place in the last 50 years which were not visualised by the makers of the Constitution.

Though, he said, theConstitution was amended as many as 78 times but there was still scope for strengthening the basic structure of the Constitution. Jethmalani said there should not be any apprehension on the intention of the review.

Eduardo Faleiro Cong said there was no need for tinkering with the Constitution and what was needed was to bring an electoral reforms on a priority basis.

He said the Sangh Parivar was from the very beginning favouring changes in the constitutional structure which was a matter of quot;worryquot;.

Prafull Goradia BJP said that either there should a thorough relook into the constitutional system or the present system should be allowed to continue.

Stating that as many as 84 amendments had been carried out in the Constitution so far, he said adhoc arrangements would not be the right answer.

V Kishore Chandra S Deo Cong said of late that there had been talk of fixed tenure of Parliament and presidential form of government but these were very loose ideas.

Since the ruling coalition did nothave enough numbers, it was talking about constitutional amendment, he said and asked what was wrong in 84 amendments brought so far in the Constitution.

S Ramachandran Pillai CPM said the Constitution in its current form was vibrant and dynamic and changes have been carrying out from time to time through amendments.

Basic structure or tenets of the Constitution had helped to tackle many a problem and should not be tampered with.

quot;The Constitution is biased towards haves, but it provides opportunity to organise have nots and take up their cases,quot; Pillai added.

Solipeta R Reddy TDP said the Centre should give more powers to states to keep the federal system healthy. Except defence, external affairs and communications, all other sectors should be left to the states for speedy progress, he added.