‘We need to sit down and decide on a set time-table’

Yet you ended the session three days in advance. Was it lack of confidence that made you shut shop?
No. You didn’t require an astrologer to see the Opposition mood. I waited till August 12, the day when voting for Vice-President had to take place and then decided to adjourn the House. Strategically, why give them newspaper headlines for two more days?

Don’t you think it was the Govt’s duty to be more responsive and flexible instead of apportioning blame on the Opposition?
Notices of suspension hour could have been given and discussion on the petrol pump allotment issue could have been taken up instead. As Parliamentary Affairs Minister, I was willing for a threadbare discussion on the issue. Yet the Opposition was adamant only on one point — Ram Naik’s resignation.

But it is the duty of the Opposition to raise issues of importance?
I don’t expect parliamentarians to behave as if they were on the Shamshan Ghat. But I do expect them to take note of important legislations. You can’t make unreasonable demands like resignation of ministers. In fact, the Opposition has lost the chance of criticising the Govt on several other issues by forcing adjournments.

Do you think the level of debating and speeches has reached an all-time low?
I disagree. I don’t find any difference between the late Hiren Mukherjee or Indrajit Gupta or Somnath Chatterjee. In any case, I am not worried about the level of speeches in Parliament. The truth is the best speakers in the government are some ministers who have to restrict themselves to their subject while the Opposition has an open field.

How then do you think the Parliament should conduct itself?
I think we need to evolve a consensus whereby everyone agrees to divide time equally. The first half of the day can be utilised for talking. The second half should be taken up for legislation. Having said that, I feel frequent elections are also creating problems with Parliament being used as a forum to fight elections. If things continue the way they are, legislations, I’m afraid, may have to be passed in a din.