The last parliament session might have failed to transact substantial business due to disruptions, but select parliamentarians will now teach the MLAs of Delhi assembly on how effectively legislative bodies can work.
In the first-of-its kind orientation programme, senior MPs, cutting across party lines will chair sessions on different topics related to functioning of the legislature. The two-day session also assumes significance as 67 out of 70 seats in the Delhi assembly are held by Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Admi Party, an outfit that had so far maintained distance from other political parties.
The sessions will be addressed by CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury, BJD’s Bhartruhari Mahtab, Congress’ Mani Shankar Aiyar, BJP’s Surinder Singh Ahluwalia and NK Singh. Singh is the only former MP in this group.
“I would be chairing a session on legislature and committees. How effectively we can use the elected body and how legislators can ensure accountability of the executive,” Yechury told HT.
Officials in the Delhi assembly pointed out that this would be the first such orientation course for MPs. This is the first time that practitioners from the supreme legislative body will be sharing their practical experience. This is in contrast with the earlier practice of retired officials imparting theoretical knowledge,” Delhi legislative assembly secretary Prasanna Kumar Suryadevara told HT.
Officials in the Delhi assembly pointed out that this would be the first such orientation course for MPs. This is the first time that practitioners from the supreme legislative body will be sharing their practical experience. This is in contrast with the earlier practice of retired officials imparting theoretical knowledge,” Delhi legislative assembly secretary Prasanna Kumar Suryadevara told HT.
The interaction between AAP MLAs and other party leaders also come at a time when AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal seem to have warmed up to some parties like the CPI(M) and Trinamool to maintain a joint platform on larger policy issues. The AAP chief has also invited CMs like Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee and Manik Sarkar for a symposium on centre-state relations next month.
While Mahtab will talk on “questions and other legislative tools” Aiyar has been entrusted to impart knowledge on how to be an effective legislator. Ahluwalia, chairman of the privileges panel of Lok Sabha will talk on ethics and privileges.
With AAP already scoring a historic victory, wiping out the Congress and reducing the BJP to just 3 MLAs, a MP, however, quipped, “Is there anything left for them to learn about assembly?”