With Sharad Pawar In Delhi, PM Modi Has An Appreciative Message For NCP

The PM praised NCP and BJD for deciding to stay away from the well of the House.

PM Narendra Modi speaking in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Monday praised the Nationalist Congress Party and Biju Janata Dal for "wonderfully adhering" to Parliamentary norms.  Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during a special session to mark the 250th session of the house, Modi said, "the two parties have never ventured into the well. Yet, they have made their points very effectively". "Much can be learnt from these practices," Modi said. The prime minister's comments assume significance in the wake of NCP partnering with Shiv Sena, BJP's 30-year-old ally, and Congress to form a government in Maharashtra. NCP supremo Sharad Pawar is also in the national capital today to meet  Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi to discuss the common minimum programme (CMP) that the three parties are working upon. NCP wants the Congress to be part of the Maharashtra government. Shiv Sena MPs Sanjay Raut and Anil Desai sat in the opposition benches in Parliament today.

Today I want to appreciate two parties:@NCPspeaks @bjd_odisha

These parties have wonderfully adhered to Parliamentary norms. They have never ventured into the well. Yet, they have made their points very effectively. Much can be learnt from these practices: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 18, 2019

PM Modi describes Rajya Sabha as eternal and the soul of India’s federal structure

• Calling the Upper House "eternal", Prime Minister Modi stressed the significance of the House. From mentioning abrogation of Article 370 to triple talaq Bill, Modi highlighted how "historic" the House has been.
• Praising the Rajya Sabha, he said it was the House's maturity that ensured the Bill on Triple Talaq and the one on GST were passed, in spite of opposition to it.
• Mentioning abrogation of Article 370, Modi said, "Whenever it has been about national good, the Rajya Sabha has risen to the occasion and made a strong contribution."We can never forget the role of the Rajya Sabha when Bills pertaining to Articles 370 and 35(A) were passed. This House has worked to further the unity of the counrty."
• Taking a subtle dig at opposition, he said, "It was believed that the Bill on Triple Talaq would not pass here, but it did." The BJP-led NDA lacked the numbers in the Upper House, yet the House was able to pass it.
• PM Modi called the Rajya Sabha as the "supporting house", stressing the important role it plays to keep "checks and balances". Taking about cooperative Centre-state relationship, he saisd, "Our Constitution inspires us to work for a welfare state. It also motivates us to work for the welfare of states. The Rajya Sabha, as the Council of States, enables us to further the spirit of cooperative federalism."

(With additional information from IANS)