As Parliament moves to a new building starting Tuesday, The Indian Express talks to senior BJP leader and eight-time MP Sumitra Mahajan about her parliamentary journey of over three decades. Mahajan, who was the Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha, talks about working with different prime ministers and the changes in the political landscape since she started out. The new Parliament premises will be a bridge between the “old and the new”, she says. Excerpts: * You were an MP eight times between 1989 and 2019, representing the Indore seat. What are your most memorable moments of this journey? Mahajan: I saw many big leaders, both from the BJP and the Congress, who left an imprint on my mind. I saw Chandra Shekharji, (P V) Narasimha Raoji, Atalji (Vajpayee), (L K) Advaniji and many others. We sat with them. They offered Parliament a rare grandeur. * What do you think of the shift to the new Parliament building on Tuesday? Mahajan: The old Parliament has a glorious history. But a new building is the need of the hour. New facilities are now required, such as a computer in your own personal space. The new building, I am sure, will lead to a confluence of the old and new. It will be a bridge. In the old building, there was a certain closeness in terms of space. The new House is very large. The Well of the House is also large; it is literally like a well. But change is inevitable in the world. The old building had Vedic mantras, Sanskrit shlokas, paintings… But I have heard that the new one is also good and has many unique features. But if people like me visit Parliament, we may still end up turning left (towards the old Parliament building) instead of right. * What would you call your favourite and most memorable speech from your years in Parliament? Mahajan: There are several. But I distinctly remember Atalji's brilliant speech (in 1996) when he faced the no-confidence motion. That was mesmerising. Everyone, including people in the Opposition, recall the style with which he ended it. He said: 'Adyakshji, main apna tyaag patra Rashtrapatiji jo dene jaa raha hoon (Chairman sir, I am going to hand over my resignation to the President).' I also remember the speeches of (former Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley and (Former Minister of External Affairs) Sushma Swaraj. Sushmaji had a distinctive style. I recall (former CPI MP and Home Minister in the United Front government) Indrajit Guptaji too. People would listen carefully when he spoke, as he brought great perspective and detail to Parliament. I also recall (CPI MP) Geeta Mukherjee long ago. * What are the political changes from the old days? Mahajan: In those days, there used to be more discussion and less disruption. The House would listen to tall leaders with rapt attention. It was considered rude to heckle or disturb a big leader. The person sitting next to you would dissuade you even if you tried. Heckling was not considered good behaviour. * You were the Speaker in the 16th Lok Sabha. How was that experience different from your long stint as MP? Mahajan: As Speaker, I encountered a lot of halla-gulla (disruption and chaos). But I realised that there was no intention among members of Opposition parties to insult or target me. When I got angry with them, they would smile, suggesting that they were not against me. There was respect and mutual goodwill. They had become like friends to me. The new members respected me as a senior. I also got respect when I travelled out of the country to attend Speakers' conferences. I was well-regarded for being an eight-time MP. I realised the prestige that Bharat enjoyed abroad as the largest democracy of the world.
