March 16, 2022
Derek O’Brien makes a Point of Order on the order of speaking during the discussion on Ministry of Railways
Sir, since you have announced the Member’s name, we are not going to be ungracious and stop the Member, my dear
friend and colleague, from speaking. However, please allow me to make a simple point on rules, procedure and what this House has been following for many years. There are four Ministries which are being discussed in this Session. The first Ministry was the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. That was initiated by the Congress Party being the largest in terms of Opposition. The second was the Ministry of Tribal Affairs where the Minister just now gave a stirring speech. That was initiated by the BJP. The third is the Ministry of Railways. Fourth is the Ministry of Labour and Employment. If you go only by numbers and of the last fifty years, the thirdlargest Party after BJP and Congress in Rajya Sabha is the All India Trinamool Congress. So, by virtue of that, we should have been initiating this discussion to set the tone but in the spirit, since you have called Acharyaji’s name, he may
do it. But this may be taken into account next time. Our political beliefs may be different from that of the Ruling Party, but that should not be the reason not to allow us to initiate a discussion. They have won elections, we have won elections; but it is not that. It is, here, we should go by the precedents. I have no problem conceding. We will speak on Monday; Khargeji will speak on Monday. Now, DMK also has numbers, but we have more numbers. So,
please, Sir, I request you in good spirit. Please, with your permission. Sir, may I have one minute? Sir, let me finish. You allow me one minute. There were six Ministries to be discussed. I am aware. In the Business Advisory Committee, it was decided six. Out of six, four have been selected. Two have been kept for the next Session. That does not change. If there are four Ministries to be discussed, BJP, Congress, TMC and DMK, this has to
be the order, not because I am saying so. This is the precedent. So, no issue. Please. Thank you.
