Legislative debates must focus on solutions, not criticism: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Lok Sabha Secretariat, and the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), in collaboration with the West Bengal Legislative Assembly is organising the two-day orientation programme for newly-elected members

Legislative debates in the Houses must focus on solutions, not merely criticism, said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday (July 3, 2026), launching a two-day orientation programme for the MLAs of West Bengal Assembly.

“Constructive debate is the hallmark of a vibrant democracy. While criticism is an essential component of legislative functioning, every discussion should also offer practical solutions to public problems. Legislators should base their interventions on facts, research, and reasoned arguments to enrich the quality of democratic discourse. Every debate, law, and policy should be guided by public welfare and aimed at finding practical solutions to citizens’ challenges,” said Mr. Birla, addressing the event.

“Agreement and disagreement are natural features of democracy,” he added. However, Mr. Birla emphasised that differences must always be expressed through reasoned, dignified, and respectful debate. “Legislatures should remain institutions where ideas compete but democratic values prevail.”

The Lok Sabha Secretariat, and the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), in collaboration with the West Bengal Legislative Assembly is organising the orientation programme to familiarise newly-elected members with various aspects of parliamentary and legislative functioning.

Stay lifelong learners: Birla

​Calling upon the MLAs to remain lifelong learners, Mr. Birla urged them to regularly study previous debates, landmark legislations, and best parliamentary practices from across India and the world.

“The present West Bengal Legislative Assembly has around 180 first-time members and a large representation of young legislators. This is a historic opportunity to bring fresh ideas, innovation, and people-centric governance to the State. I urge all the members to spend as much time as possible inside the Legislative Assembly, irrespective of whether they are scheduled to speak. Listening carefully to the debates, arguments, and viewpoints of fellow members, enriches legislative understanding and helps build informed leadership. I hope all the members will work collectively to fulfil the aspirations of the people of West Bengal,” he added.

Highlighting the growing role of technology, Mr. Birla said the digital era has created unprecedented opportunities for legislators to access legislative debates, policy documents, and best practices from Parliament and State Legislatures. Referring to the Digital Sansad platform, he said MLAs can now benefit from a vast repository of parliamentary knowledge and comparative legislative experiences.

The inaugural programme was also attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly Rathindra Bose, and the Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee.

CM lashes out at previous governments

Addressing the event, Chief Minister Mr. Adhikari also took a dig at the previous State governments ruled by the Trinamool Congress and Left Front. “I am now a six-time lawmaker from this State. I have seen how the previous governments have worked. For 34 years, a government ruled this State from its party office but [not] from the Assembly. I don’t even want to talk about what happened in the last 15 years. They built a system where no BDO or police used to care, paying heed to the MLAs or MPs. Only their favourite lawmakers used to get an invitation to any administrative events or meetings,” he said, adding that the new government is trying to change the system and revive the culture and honour of West Bengal.

Considering that West Bengal is located at a significant geographic location, Mr. Adhikari also said that the government’s aim is to strengthen the State’s legislative system. “We will have to popularise the MLAs and their works by including them in our projects,” he added.

The Orientation Programme will conclude on July 4 with the valedictory address by West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi in the historic chamber of the State Legislative Assembly.

The session will also be addressed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Governor of Haryana, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh; Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, and Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Rathindra Bose.