Private benefits

Hansraj Gangaram Ahir of the BJP is evidently an MP who revels in the Friday afternoon rituals of Lok Sabha. Just last week,as a private member,he introduced the Commission for the Formation of State of Vidarbha Bill. In a session with paltry legislative activity,it was on August 13 alone just one amongst 26 bills introduced in the Lower House. The last time a private members bill came into force was back in 1970. But Ahir must be undeterred. According to PRS Legislative,a think-tank,in the last 14th Lok Sabha he was one of four MPs who amongst them submitted 101 bills for the Houses consideration.

Friday afternoons are a rather secluded corner of Parliaments week,often with just the minister on roster duty present. But with Parliament often stalled,they have too much potential to be left to their lonely rhythm,without wider participation. This slot serves many purposes. It is a safety valve for the backbencher squeezed out of speaking time by both structured debates and interruptions he can use this exercise to follow an inspired thought or lend voice to an issue that resonates with his constituency,even if the party is not willing to take it any more forward. Among those 26 bills was one by Khagen Das of the CPM to establish a high court in Tripura. Its a place where inter-party dialogue is forged away from polarised politics. Among those 26 bills was one on compulsory voting,introduced by the Congresss J.P. Agarwal. Thats an idea dear to many in the BJP,and it became somewhat controversial this year when the Gujarat governor sent back a bill passed by the assembly making voting for local bodies mandatory. Last week,the tenor of the debate was more sober,and maybe Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily had a better opportunity to place on record the Centres case against the idea.

It is too often the case that MPs pack up early on Friday to attend to other work. Perhaps they shouldnt. Like committees,this is an aspect of Parliament they can advertise to combat cynicism about politics.