The BJP is planning
a two-day crash course on Parliament functioning for its first-time MPs, which
incidentally includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.
The party is
considering June 28 and 29 as tentative dates for the training programme, ahead
of the budget session of Parliament. The dates are yet to be finalised, sources
said.
The idea, according
to sources was mooted by Modi himself while talking to some party leaders. The
session, which may be held outside Delhi
The training
programme will include sessions on how MPs should conduct themselves during
question hour, zero hour and on attendance in the House, sources said. Modi had
emphasised on being present in the House when he addressed the BJP's Parliamentary
party earlier this month.
While the
invitations are likely to be sent to all MPs, the session will mainly be for
the new entrants into Parliament, a BJP leader said. The party had held a
similar training programme around four years ago.
With the Modi
government busy with the Union budget, to be presented in Parliament next
month, it would have to be seen if the dates suit the schedule of senior
leaders. Both Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley have been focusing on the
budget, sources said, adding that the government was giving priority to the
economy and containing price rise. Given the high expectations of the people,
the budget is going to be viewed as a litmus test for the government.
That the new
government is facing teething troubles is evident from protest against the rail
fare increase, which has brought the Modi regime under severe attack from the
Opposition. In defence of the government, home minister and party chief Rajnath
Singh said on Saturday in Khajurao, where he inaugurated a training camp for
Madhya Pradesh's new legislators, that policies are not made in 10-15 days.
"Measurement of our government's work cannot be done in a few
months," he said.
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