Om Birla Urges New MLAs to Focus on Solutions, Not Criticism

"Focus on solutions, not mere criticism": Om Birla addresses orientation for newly elected MLAs in W Bengal

Kolkata, July 3

Addressing the legislators, Speaker Om Birla highlighted the demographic shift in the Assembly, noting that the expectations of the public are higher than ever.

"People have elected you with great expectations. I am delighted that in this Assembly, there are 181 first-time MLAs. This is historic. 194 MLAs here are between 25 and 55 years of age. Upholding Parliamentary traditions and decorum, we have to contribute to the development of the state. You are the representatives of the collective aspirations of the entire state. Debates and discussions must focus on solutions, not mere criticism," Birla said.

The programme, aimed at familiarising first-time lawmakers with legislative procedures, saw participation across party lines.

BJP leader Roopa Ganguly stressed the need for the modernisation of the Assembly to ensure transparency.

"The dignity and prestige of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly must be upheld. The entire building and the organisation need to be modernised; there is a need for various improvements. The previous system was such that neither the opposition nor the public knew what was happening inside or which bills were being passed. Our goal is to ensure public participation, similar to the practices we have witnessed in Parliament for years," Ganguly stated.

BJP MLA Rudranil Ghosh also expressed his gratitude for the session, stating that understanding befitting behaviour is crucial for both the ruling and opposition benches.

"Whether they are new MLAs or experienced ones, how to uphold the dignity of Parliament and the Legislative Assembly... what kind of behaviour is befitting, we should have knowledge of this," Ghosh said.

State Minister Dipak Barman hailed the presence of seasoned parliamentarians as a major advantage for the 181 new members.

"The functioning and procedures of the Legislative Assembly are unique, so understanding them is crucial. The people who have come to conduct the training are seasoned politicians and parliamentarians from across India--including many Speakers--so I feel this will be advantageous for everyone," Barman noted.

From the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), MLA Alifa Ahmed said the orientation would help the party serve the people more effectively, while reaffirming loyalty to the party leadership.

"The idea was that we might learn something new and thus perform better. We hope to learn something and work more effectively as a ruling party. For us, there is only one leader: our respected Didi (Mamata Banerjee). Wherever Didi goes, we will follow," Ahmed said.

TMC MLA Babar Ali also welcomed the initiative organised by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, noting that "implementation is the most important thing."

Regarding administrative submissions to the Election Commission, Ali added, "Whatever documents the Election Commission of India has asked from both the sections, they will submit... There should not be any doubt that Mamata Banerjee is the founder of the All India Trinamool Congress."

On the sidelines of the event, BJP MLA Ratna Debnath spoke on the importance of women's safety, advocating for the launch of 'Durga Vahini' in every area to "prepare many Durgas." Meanwhile, BJP MLA Dr. Rajesh Kumar Surolia addressed the transparency of the legal system, stating, "The judiciary is doing all the good things... every single thing--from judicial appointments to non-interference in their work--is being closely watched. The judiciary is doing exactly what is expected of them." (ANI)

"Focus on solutions, not mere criticism": Om Birla addresses orientation for newly-elected MLAs in W Bengal

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 3 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday addressed the orientation programme for the newly-elected MLAs of the West Bengal State Assembly, where he emphasized the historic nature of the current house and called for a focus on constructive "solutions" over "criticism."

Addressing the legislators, Speaker Om Birla highlighted the demographic shift in the Assembly, noting that the expectations of the public are higher than ever.

"People have elected you with great expectations. I am delighted that in this Assembly, there are 181 first-time MLAs. This is historic. 194 MLAs here are between 25-55 years of age. Upholding Parliamentary traditions and decorum, we have to contribute to the development of the state. You are the representatives of the collective aspirations of the entire state. Debates and discussions must focus on solutions, not mere criticism," Birla said.

The programme, aimed at familiarising first-time lawmakers with legislative procedures, saw participation across party lines.

BJP leader Roopa Ganguly stressed the need for the modernisation of the Assembly to ensure transparency.

"The dignity and prestige of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly must be upheld. The entire building and the organisation need to be modernised; there is a need for various improvements. The previous system was such that neither the opposition nor the public knew what was happening inside or which bills were being passed. Our goal is to ensure public participation, similar to the practices we have witnessed in Parliament for years," Ganguly stated.

BJP MLA Rudranil Ghosh also expressed his gratitude for the session, stating that understanding befitting behaviour is crucial for both the ruling and opposition benches.

"Whether they are new MLAs or experienced ones, how to uphold the dignity of Parliament and the Legislative Assembly... what kind of behaviour is befitting, we should have knowledge of this," Ghosh said.

State Minister Dipak Barman hailed the presence of seasoned parliamentarians as a major advantage for the 181 new members.

"The functioning and procedures of the Legislative Assembly are unique, so understanding them is crucial. The people who have come to conduct the training are seasoned politicians and parliamentarians from across India--including many Speakers--so I feel this will be advantageous for everyone," Barman noted.

From the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), MLA Alifa Ahmed said the orientation would help the party serve the people more effectively, while reaffirming loyalty to the party leadership.

"The idea was that we might learn something new and thus perform better. We hope to learn something and work more effectively as a ruling party. For us, there is only one leader: our respected Didi (Mamata Banerjee). Wherever Didi goes, we will follow," Ahmed said.

TMC MLA Babar Ali also welcomed the initiative organised by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, noting that "implementation is the most important thing."

Regarding administrative submissions to the Election Commission, Ali added, "Whatever documents the Election Commission of India has asked from both the sections, they will submit... There should not be any doubt that Mamata Banerjee is the founder of the All India Trinamool Congress."

On the sidelines of the event, BJP MLA Ratna Debnath spoke on the importance of women's safety, advocating for the launch of 'Durga Vahini' in every area to "prepare many Durgas." Meanwhile, BJP MLA Dr. Rajesh Kumar Surolia addressed the transparency of the legal system, stating, "The judiciary is doing all the good things... every single thing--from judicial appointments to non-interference in their work--is being closely watched. The judiciary is doing exactly what is expected of them."

— ANI