Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Speaker’s decision is final' that was published in Newsband

Speaker’s decision is final

The decision of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to suspend 25 Congress members from the House for five days was a right one. No one disputes the powers of the Speaker to act to ensure order in the House. The Speaker’s verdict on whether the conduct of a member is “grossly disorderly” is final, and there is no doubt that Congress members came in and shouted slogans without allowing the conduct of proceedings. It is clear that Congress is going for vengeance against the government which they did it while in opposition.

What is the Speaker to do when 25 persons behave in a very disruptive manner? Does not the leader of the Congress Party, whose members were responsible for the disorderly conduct, have any responsibility for controlling them? In fact, before the session started Sonia Gandhi clearly stated that the session would be a washout if her demands were not met. She is making good on her promise. Why should the Bharatiaya Janata Party succumb to her threats?

How can Prime Minister seek resignations from Chief Ministers when they enjoy the confidence of their respective house? Should the high command culture of the Congress prevail even today?

A major reason for absence of dialogue and debate is that our netas come from a pool of rabble rousers. They cannot put forth cogent statements to try and win an argument. In fact if they lose a debate they take it personally rather than accept defeat gracefully. Except for a few, most just want to shout. They have come convinced about their superiority. No question of giving ground. It all started with Sonia Gandhi assuring her flock that the monsoon session will be a washout. That is what she promised and that is what she was bent on achieving. And succeed she did. She did not come to hear Sushma Swaraj. She had made up her mind that the minister was guilty. And that is it. Does Sonia Gandhi think that the Gandhis inherited India from the British and it is their birthright to rule in their place?

Congress and its supporters have developed habit of making unreasonable demands and then insisting on meeting them. Chief Ministers of two states are answerable to their respective Assemblies, and not to the Congress Party. Foreign Minister is answerable to the cabinet of the Lok Sabha. Let Congress move no-confidence motion and censure Foreign Minister. But they would not do so, because Sushma Swaraj would get chance for rebuttal. Congress has not yet accepted sportingly its last defeat in Lok Sabha elections.