Govt, Opposition should reflect, find middle path for next Parliament session: Former PM Deve Gowda
New Delhi, Aug 12: Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda Thursday urged the government and the Opposition to find a "middle path" to ensure Parliament's next session in November functions properly, saying being "terribly adamant" or over enthusiastic are both dangerous.
Expressing concern over the Monsoon session washout, the Janta Dal (S) chief said it is a "collective duty" of the members of both Houses to ensure "ours is a functioning Parliamentary democracy".
Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die on August 11, two days ahead of the scheduled end of the Monsoon session, due to a ruckus created by the Opposition over the Pegasus snooping row, three farm laws and rising fuel prices.
"Both government and Opposition have to reflect hard about how we should move forward. Being terribly adamant and over enthusiasm are both dangerous," he told reporters here.
He said there is a need to quickly find a "middle path" so that Parliament once again becomes a place where "we speak to each other, discuss and dissent in a dignified manner'.
Gowda, a Rajya Sabha member, said he does want to blame anyone but both the government and the Opposition should come to an understanding.
At a time the idea of democracy itself has come under "severe strain" the world over, "it is our duty to convince our younger generation that this is the best form of governance", the JD(S) leader said.
He suggested that senior leaders from both sides should come together and decide how to function in the next session of Parliament in November.
Gowda, who is nearly 90 years old, said he attended Parliament religiously despite age-related issues and had even made notes to speak on four topics -- farm laws, price rise, the 127th Constitutional Amendment Bill on the OBC list, and the Pegasus row.
"I could not speak on any topic -- not that I would have been given an opportunity to speak on all subjects because my party is in the minority of one -- because the Parliament was continuously disrupted. I feel very sad," he said.
On the Cabinet reshuffle effected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, Gowda said for the first time, 12 women, eight scheduled castes and 12 scheduled tribe community leaders were inducted as ministers.
"I don't know if this is social justice or election tactics, but whatever it is, I welcome Modi's decision," he said.
On Basavaraj Bommai taking over as the new chief minister of Karnataka, the JD(S) boss said, "I believe Bommai is capable of resolving the internal issues under the guidance of B S Yediyurappa (who Bommai succeeded)."
Gowda said Bommai's father was his good friend.
He also assured the current CM that the JD(S) would not create troubles for his government, rather it will extend support in matters related to land, water and culture besides development of the state.
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I will do my duty, party will decide the rest: D.K. Shivakumar
Hubballi: Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar reaffirmed his commitment to his party, stating that he will perform his duties diligently and leave decisions about his future to the party leadership.
Responding to questions from the media at the Hubballi airport on Tuesday, Shivakumar said, "I will do my duty. The party will decide the rest."
He emphasized his loyalty and dedication to the party’s work, dismissing any personal ambition for positions of power. "I don’t need to go and look for any position. I will do whatever work needs to be done for the party and the government. I am not in a hurry," he added.
