PM plays consensus card to reach out to Oppn

Says accord more important than majority rule

Striking a conciliatory note, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said democracy derived its strength from consensus and forcing a vote in Parliament should be the last resort.

Facing accusations from the Opposition of riding roughshod in Parliament on the strength of brute majority, Modi surprised his detractors by stating that one must “walk the path of consensus”.

“Democracy derives more strength when we work together in consensus. Consensus is more important than majority rule. Majority-minority should be the last resort,” Modi said in an hour-long intervention in the discussion on “Commitment to India’s Constitution” to celebrate 125th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar.

Modi also acknowledged the contribution of his predecessors and lauded the role of the first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in drafting the Objectives Resolution which formed the basis of the Constitution.

Seeking to reject the perception that the NDA government was ignoring the contribution of Nehru, Modi mentioned his name at least five times and even acknowledged Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The prime minister’s tone was in sharp contrast to the two-day acrimonious debate that saw the Opposition attacking the government over rising incidents of intolerance and the Union ministers hitting back in equal measure. Modi’s speech also set the tone for the meeting he had Friday evening with former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi to resolve the stand-off in Parliament over the Goods and Services Tax Bill.

The prime minister sought to reassure the House by ruling out any review of the Constitution. “No one can ever think of changing the Constitution. Even harbouring such thoughts is similar to committing suicide,” Modi said, asserting that the focus should be on its effective implementation.

He also ruled out any changes in the reservation policy, saying it was the duty of the government to extend a helping hand to the oppressed classes.

There were some awkward moments when Modi claimed credit for increasing the minimum pension to Rs 1,000 per month and introducing provident fund account portability. Sonia Gandhi was seen waving her hand, chanting “galat, galat” (wrong, wrong).

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, speaking briefly after Modi, sought to “set the record straight”. He said it was the UPA that took the decision in December 2013 and the NDA government only implemented it.

The non-confrontationist approach of the government was evident as Social Justice Minister Thawarchand Gehlot was made to apologise in the Lok Sabha for his remarks over the reasons behind the assassination of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.