Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury recalls Jawaharlal Nehru’s legacy in Lok Sabha special session, takes dig at Centre

“At the movement of bid adieu to our old parliament building, I got a chance to talk about Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who had said that parliamentary democracy demands many virtues, it demands ability, devotion to work, a large measure of cooperation and self-discipline,” Chowdhury said.

“Nehru ji enjoyed a massive majority in the Parliament, he was tireless in listening to the Opposition’s voice and never mocked or deflected, pontificating when answering questions,” the Congress leader said in a veiled dig at the PM Narendra Modi-led BJP government.

“Nehru ji never believed in steamrolling the Opposition, he gave due respect to the feelings and sentiments of the Opposition members. It is significant to note that during his tenure Parliament ran smoothly,” he said.

“Even the Speaker bell would ring for Nehru ji when he exceeded his time limit while making speeches in the Parliament, this shows that no one is beyond Parliament’s prerogative.”

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the Lok Sabha and said: "In this Parliament where Neheruji spoke at the stroke of midnight hour which continues to inspire everyone.”

“This House had also seen the attack on democracy during the Emergency,” PM Modi said in a direct attack on the Congress.

The PM said that during the post-independence era, many learned people raised various concerns about India. “They raised apprehensions about whether India would remain united or not, whether the democracy in India would survive or not, but it is the power of this parliament that the world was proven wrong."

PM Modi said the decision to construct this building was made by foreign rulers, but people can never forget the hard work and money invested by the countrymen in its construction.

“Even though we will move to a new Parliament building, this old building always inspires the coming generations. It is a very emotional moment to bid farewell to this House. As we leave this House, our mind is filled with many emotions and memories,” he said.

“Over 7500 public representatives have so far contributed in both the Houses. During this period, about 600 women MPs have enhanced the dignity of these Houses. Initially the number of women here was less, but gradually women have also enhanced the dignity of this House,” PM Modi said.