New Delhi: Ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament having a huge legislative agenda, the government on Tuesday said it would go the extra mile to accommodate the opposition while conveying to it that "democracy functions through numbers also."
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that the government will go the extra mile to accommodate the opposition on debates on different issues and hoped that it will extend its cooperation to make the session beginning from November 24 a "more meaningful and constructive" affair.
Noting that the mandate of the people has been overwhelming in the Lok Sabha polls and it has got reaffirmed in the Assembly elections, Naidu wanted the opposition to realise that "democracy functions through numbers also".
"The opposition will have to do its duty. We have to do our duty. The opposition must have its say. The government must have its way. This is the beauty of democracy. The opposition has enough space in parliamentary democracy. Talk out, walk out, debate, decide," he said.
Naidu's remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed with his colleagues the strategy to ensure that the session ending on December 23 remains a "smooth affair" for the government during which it plans to pass most of the old pending bills as well as some key new bills.
"I have received information about more than 60 bills including those for consideration and passage, for introduction as also for withdrawal", the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.
He was speaking to the media after new Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Rajiv Pratap Rudy assumed charge. He said both were capable and experienced and he would immensely benefit by their induction.
Naqvi, who will be handling the affairs in Rajya Sabha where the BJP-led NDA does not have a majority, said that the government plans to go ahead with its work by taking into confidence all concerned and have better coordination and communication.
He downplayed suggestions that the government could face problems in the Upper House noting that sometimes there is an issue-based opposition and sometimes, there is an issue-based support. "We do not believe in untouchability", he said.
