Expressing serious concern over declining confidence of the people in the Parliament, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday asserted that smooth functioning of the House is not the responsibility of the Government alone and it is a joint responsibility of all sections of the House.

Conveying his anguish over the last two sessions of the Upper House ending in a ‘loose-loose’ situation for all sections of the House and the people, he urged all parties and leaders to ensure a ‘win-win’ monsoon session and sought their cooperation.

Eight Ministers and 23 leaders belonging to 20 parties today attended the meeting convened by Chairman Shri Venkaiah Naidu, a day ahead of the start of monsoon session tomorrow. 

Referring to the happenings in the Rajya Sabha during the last session, Naidu said ‘No party can bring the House to a standstill insisting on Government’s response even as the members and parties have a right to seek such a response. The better way would be to talk it out, walk out or vote out”.

Referring to feedback from the people during his tours across the country during the last eleven months, Naidu stated that people are distressed over non-functional Parliament.

He also referred to a recent survey in which people have expressed their lack of trust and confidence in the Parliament and political parties.

Naidu urged both the ruling and opposition parties to stop the ‘mutual blame game’ holding each other responsible for persistent disruptions and dysfunctional House.

He stressed that it was time to recalibrate the conventional position that it was the responsibility of the Government to run the House and it should be seen as a shared responsibility.

Referring to news reports about the meeting of opposition parties yesterday, he said his hopes of a productive session were rekindled by their assertion of keenness for an effective monsoon session.