Seating Order in Parliament
Prior to the Monsoon Session of Parliament, DMK wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking a change in seating arrangements so that party MPs are not next to the Congress bloc. DMK’s view that Congress enjoyed the perks of being an ‘ally’ when the alliance was in office but switched sides opportunistically after state polls in May remains unchanged. But the new seating requires a re-arrangement of SP’s 37 MPs. It appears SP is unwilling to replace DMK in the rows adjacent to Congress benches to the extreme left of the speaker. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav occupies a seat at a distance from the Congress rows. It seems he has no interest in replacing DMK’s TR Baalu, who currently sits right next to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal.
Tewari’s Angst
Congress MP from Chandigarh Manish Tewari in a recent post on X said parliamentary institutions face a crisis of relevance as the two Houses have become arenas of gladiatorial combat in the pursuit of executive dominance. He was referring to the paralysis in Parliament which has prevented meaningful discussion on legislation. While he did not hold anyone responsible, the Congress brass is not receptive to such views. Congress MPs have led the way in stalling Parliament.
Zero Hour
The 10-15 minutes before proceedings begin in Parliament after either a forced adjournment or a recess are moments of calm. As MPs trickle in, there is time and ‘political’ space for informal talk and sometimes senior BJP MPs like Anurag Thakur and Jagdambika Pal can be seen chatting with opposition MPs. Pal often has a chin wag with the SP crowd. The exchanges are not necessarily relevant but are a means to figure out the thinking in rival camps.
Slighted VIPs
The Lok Sabha reception is back in the hands of Parliament staff with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) no longer handling arrangements. The change comes at a time when the CISF had got the hang of how visitors, including the media and staff of MPs, were to be channelled. The hitch, it appears, was that some VIPs, including retired ones, were miffed at not being recognised.
Thumping Hard
Some Congress MPs have taken to thumping the wooden panels below the speaker’s chair. It would appear they find this a noisy addition to slogan shouting in the House. Often enough, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is not in the House, but it is unlikely his presence would change things.
Calorie Watch
The inner spaces of Parliament have become convenient areas for MPs to walk. The round courtyard, the dining area where MPs carry their food trays and a paved circular ring are used as walkways. The regulars include MoS for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel. Not many MPs, however, stay on if Parliament is adjourned early.
Liberhan’s Burden
Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, who had submitted a voluminous report on the demolition of the Babri Masjid, died at the age of 87. While commentators discussed his report, it is worth recollecting that the Liberhan Commission received 48 extensions of tenure over 17 years before he handed in his findings to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on June 30, 2009. The report’s findings were received and nothing followed. The reasons for inaction were never set out but can be guessed—UPA would also have to explain why the Ram temple case remained pending a resolution.