Rotate parliament between metros, urges Congress leader

Congress MP Rajeev Satav on Sunday said he favoured holding Parliament sessions alternately in three major metros besides the national capital, an idea first mooted by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Satav, Lok Sabha member from Hingoli in Maharashtra, said such a move would help promote national integration and connect people better to the "idea and ideals" of the Indian republic.

Satav told PTI that the idea was first floated by Bharatiya Janata Party patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who wanted Parliament sessions to be held alternately in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, besides New Delhi, long back, and the present NDA government can help fulfil the dream of the elder statesman.

He said the flood of people visiting Parliament House during the session and even the inter-session period is a testimony to how it has made a deep impact on the citizens. Satav, a former Indian Youth Congress president, said the move would enable India to project itself as a "dynamic" example of a vibrant democracy.

Besides, holding Parliament sessions in the four metros located in four corners of the country would also convey a strong message about federalism and decentralisation, key ingredients for a strong democracy.