Addressing a Congress meeting, Chidambaram said debates in state assemblies were more effective compared to Parliament and cited the Tamil Nadu Assembly as an example.
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“After watching the proceedings of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, I sometimes feel that I should have been an MLA rather than an MP,” he said.
Chidambaram questioned the lack of adjournment motions being taken up in Parliament over important issues during the past 12 years, asking whether there were no serious matters in the country during this period.
Referring to the Monsoon Session, he alleged that even the protest by students in Delhi, during which police action was reported and a student allegedly lost vision in one eye, was not discussed through an adjournment motion.
Also Read: Women voters emerge as UP’s next political battlegroundHe also criticised the passage of 12 Bills in Parliament without what he described as proper discussion, saying, “Day by day, Parliament is becoming a mockery and a laughing stock,” he said.
On the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Bill, Chidambaram alleged that the proposed amendments would impact organisations receiving foreign contributions for social work.
Citing the case of a Catholic bishop in Sivaganga who runs an orphanage and school, Chidambaram said the organisation’s FCRA registration was cancelled three years ago and that he had advised the bishop to approach the court.
He alleged that the proposed changes in the FCRA law were aimed at targeting Christian and Muslim organisations.
“Thousands of Christian bishops, priests and others have worked for Indian society and rendered enormous service. This law is being brought to crush such organisations,” he said.
Chidambaram further alleged that the Bill was aimed at taking away funds and assets of such organisations.
“A government should not loot. This ( FCRA ) Bill is aimed at taking away the funds and assets of Christian and Muslim organisations. It is one of the worst laws,” Chidambaram alleged.
On delimitation, Chidambaram said it was one of the most important issues before the country and warned that any exercise based on population could reduce the representation of southern states in the Lok Sabha.
He said political parties from southern states, along with parties from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, should unite against the proposal.
“If the southern political parties and the parties of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar unite, the Union Government will not be able to successfully implement this delimitation proposal,” he said.
Chidambaram also said that the DMK had expressed support for fair delimitation but raised concerns over the party not attending a meeting called to discuss the issue.
He said that parties attending the meeting decided to oppose any unfair delimitation exercise and maintain the existing strength of 543 Lok Sabha seats.
“This delimitation proposal will be extremely dangerous if it becomes law,” he warned.
On the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, Chidambaram said the idea was against the federal structure of the Constitution and could disrupt the existing electoral system.
“‘One Nation, One Election’ is against the federal structure of the Constitution. It will completely disrupt the existing electoral system,” he said.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which commenced on July 20, was adjourned sine die on August 13 after 19 sittings over 25 days.
