New Delhi, July 21 (FN Representative) Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Sunday that it is the responsibility of both those in the government and in the opposition to run Parliament smoothly. Speaking to reporters, after an all-party meeting on the eve of the Budget Session, Rijiju said, “We had a very useful discussion. I would like to thank the floor leaders of all the parties, who have given good suggestions.” The Minister also informed that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government is committed to strengthening democracy and “when any member speaks in Parliament, we shouldn’t interfere and interrupt”.
He said Singh pointed out that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing the House during Motion of Thanks to the President, he was interrupted both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, “Rajnath Singh Ji has appealed that it is not good for parliamentary democracy. When the PM is speaking, the House and country should listen,” he added. Rijiju said 55 leaders from 44 parties attended the all-party meeting. In the meeting , YSR Congress, Janata Dal (United) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) advocated strongly for special category status for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha respectively. Another issue that featured prominently during the meeting was the controversy surrounding the Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage by Lord Shiva devotees.