Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered
a master class on “How to Become an Effective MLA” during the concluding
session of a two-day orientation program for newly elected members of the
Chhattisgarh Assembly on Sunday.
Shah emphasized the importance of MLAs
possessing the skills to articulate the party’s ideology and policies in the
Assembly using legislative rules.
Speaking on the three key
responsibilities of an MLA – constituency responsibility, adherence to party
ideology and policies, and dedication to the State welfare and development – Shah
urged MLAs to allocate their time and strength with comprehensive planning to
achieve success in these areas.
Addressing the legislators, Shah
highlighted the historical context of Bharat’s successful democracy over the
last 75 years and underscored the role of MLAs as carriers of a great
democratic tradition.
He emphasized the need for samvedna or empathy
towards the people, promptness, skill in discharging constitutional
responsibilities, and maintaining a positive attitude.
Shah encouraged MLAs to utilize
legislative tools effectively, suggesting that there should be no assembly rule
left unused by the end of their term.
He specifically mentioned the importance
of using question hour, zero hour, resolutions, and private member bills to
raise pertinent issues after a thorough study of assembly rules and
regulations.
The Home Minister highlighted the
significance of private member bills as a key medium to address various issues.
He cited examples of historical bills on Article 370, Triple Talaq, and the
Citizenship Amendment Act-CAA that were brought forward by Opposition members,
showcasing the power of ideological advocacy.
Shah advised MLAs to engage in sampark,
samvad, and parishram or contact, communication, and hard work to become
effective leaders at the local, State, and national levels.
He stressed the importance of humble and
polite interactions with bureaucrats to address local issues effectively,
cautioning against the trend of public representatives using social media for
viral videos rather than seeking meaningful resolutions.
In conclusion, Shah shared that if he
were a member of the Chhattisgarh Assembly, he would have brought a resolution
of abhinandan (greetings) in connection with the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as a
means of highlighting the party’s ideology and achievements.
