Veering to conclusion Parliament 'dysfunctional'; democracy 'gasping for breath': Chidambaram

The Executive branch summoned the Leader of the Opposition when the Rajya Sabha was in session and one of the two heads of the Legislative branch “pleaded helplessness”, he said, adding that it was a “sad day”

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Sunday said he was veering to the conclusion that Parliament has become “dysfunctional” and alleged that democracy is “gasping for breath” in India with almost all institutions tamed, emasculated or captured.

He also said the Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu “failed” to protect Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge last week from being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) when the House was in session.

In an interview with PTI, Mr. Chidambaram also dismissed Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks linking the Congress’ demonstration against price rise on Friday to the Ram temple foundation day, saying the anniversary of the ‘Shilanyas’ was “far from our mind” when the date for the protest was fixed.

It was fixed taking into account that all the MPs will be in Delhi on Friday because the voting for the vice-presidential poll was on Saturday, he said, adding that one can always twist logic to blame someone.

“Moreover, it was on August 5, 2019 that the illegal dismembering of Jammu and Kashmir took place! Let’s leave these aside when discussing a serious issue,” Mr. Chidambaram said.

Mr. Shah had linked Congress leaders’ protest in black clothes over the issues of price rise, unemployment and GST hike to what he said was the party’s “appeasement” politics to convey its opposition to the Ram temple foundation stone laying by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5 in 2020.

Mr. Chidambaram also rejected BJP leaders’ charge that the Congress’ protest on August 5 was an attempt to save the party’s top leadership that is facing questioning by the ED in the National Herald case.