Govt expects successful winter session of Parliament: Kamal Nath

The government expects a "good and successful" winter session of Parliament notwithstanding Opposition plans for a discussion entailing voting on the issue of FDI in retail and talk about bringing a no-confidence motion.

"You deal with it as it comes. At the moment, there is no no-confidence motion," Kamal Nath said on Monday after taking charge as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

Noting that Parliament is the "heart of democracy", he said it would be his endeavour to strive for consensus in Parliamentary processes.

"Political parties are responsible and we may have our differences. My effort is to make all political parties comprehend that it was important to take forward national good...If we engage intensively with all....We should have a good and successful session," he said.

Nath was asked whether he visualised the winter session beginning November 21 a difficult affair in the wake of Opposition plans to make a common cause on the issue of FDI in retail and talk by Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress to bring in a no-confidence motion.

Nath, who has been in Parliament for the last 32 years, said though politics has become "highly combative", it should not hinder Parliamentary processes meant for national good.

Asked whether the government was ready to compromise with Opposition at a time when bills like Lokpal and Pensions are expected in the winter session, Nath asked, "Why should we talk about compromise. They may come with good suggestions.

"We are not closed. We are open to good suggestions. We do not work on the premise that everyone will oppose for the sake of opposition."

Besides, he insisted that Parliamentary processes do not work only on the basis of majority and consensus is very much needed on issues.

Handing over the charge of the Ministry to Nath, Pawan Kumar Bansal said handling the portfolio of Parliamentary Affairs was an "unique experience" for him and it has "taught me a lot".

... contd.

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