In a notable encounter at the Parliament House entrance on Tuesday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu found himself engaged in a determined discussion with Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. The two prominent leaders crossed paths on the stairs, where Naidu was awaiting his vehicle, leading to an impromptu exchange that highlighted pressing regional concerns.
Persistent Inquiry on Airport Connectivity
As soon as Minister Naidu extended a greeting, Congress President Kharge promptly raised the critical issue of the suspended air connectivity at Kalaburagi airport in Karnataka. Services at this airport have been halted since October of the previous year, causing significant inconvenience to local residents and travelers. Naidu responded by assuring Kharge that the matter is on the ministry's top priority list and that restoration efforts are underway to resume operations swiftly.
Demand for a Concrete Timeline
Kharge, however, pressed further, asking Naidu to specify in how many days the services would be restored. The minister reiterated his commitment to addressing the issue promptly but did not provide an exact timeframe. This persistence from the opposition leader underscored the urgency of the matter, with Kharge reportedly refusing to enter the House until he received a firm promise from Naidu to prioritize the airport's revival.
Prime Minister Modi's Caution to NDA MPs
In a separate development during the parliamentary party meeting of NDA MPs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern reminder to members about their responsibilities in the House. Modi, who has previously warned party MPs on similar grounds, emphasized the importance of active participation in parliamentary proceedings. He advised MPs to dedicate more time inside the House rather than in the cafeteria, stressing that people have elected you to be inside the House, raise their issues, and be an active participant.
BJD MP's Privilege Notice Concern
Adding to the day's parliamentary dynamics, BJD MP Debashish Samantaray surprised Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan by raising a privilege issue. Samantaray highlighted a recent program in Odisha, presided over by the Vice-President, where he was not invited despite being an ex-MLA from the district and now an MP from the state. He argued that a privilege notice should be served to the Cuttack administration for this oversight. The event in question was the inauguration of Netaji Sanskruti Bhawan in Cuttack on January 23, marking the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
These incidents collectively paint a vivid picture of the ongoing dialogues and disciplinary measures within India's parliamentary framework, reflecting both regional advocacy and broader governance priorities.
