Reports of the so-called ‘death’ of parliament may no longer be exaggerated. PRS Legislative Research estimates that the 17th Lok Sabha could record the lowest number of sitting days since 1952. The 2023 Budget Session saw the lowest productivity in five years. The 17th Lok Sabha has seen the fewest debates, the maximum adjournments, and the least number of bills sent to parliamentary committees.
Which is why Tuesday’s No-Confidence motion is being highly anticipated. Not because the survival of the Narendra Modi-led government is in any doubt, but because at least there may be some fiery debate in the House. Parliament’s record was not always dismal: in over 70 years of existence, India’s parliamentarians have often brilliantly and courageously upheld the best practices of parliamentary democracy. A suggested list of India’s 10 best parliamentarians:
