Legislators Training for Political Leadership: Birla
Addressing the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Mr. Birla said he learned parliamentary traditions from the Rajasthan Assembly. File | Photo credit: ANI
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) said that legislatures are a “training ground” for political leadership and urged members to learn about issues raised in the House and uphold parliamentary traditions through meaningful debate and constructive participation.
Mr. Birla said that leaders are not created by creating disruptions in the House but through reasoned arguments and informed discussions.
Addressing the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Mr. Birla said he learned parliamentary traditions from the Rajasthan Assembly and credited the House for shaping his legislative values.
“The speeches and debates held in the legislatures become part of history and are studied for years. The more a member listens and studies, the better he will be able to contribute,” he said.
Mr. Birla said the legislatures serve as forums where governments can understand the aspirations, challenges, criticisms and problems faced by the people across the state through democratic discussion.
“If the government seriously studies the issues raised in the House, it can get to the root of the problems and work towards an effective solution,” he said.
Mr. Birla urged the ministers to provide precise answers to the questions raised by the legislators. He stressed the importance of transparency and accountability and said responsive governance and accountable public representatives are essential for a healthy democracy.
“People expect responsible and transparent governance. Those governments and public representatives who uphold these values will succeed,” he added. “This House has given me legislative values that have guided me throughout my public life,” he said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said that public service and commitment to democratic values are the guiding principles of the state government. Mr. Sharma said the Assembly has played a key role in the development of the state through landmark laws and has made it the premier legislative institution of the country through innovation.
“We are committed to democracy and public service. Every generation learns from the functioning of the assembly and we should have such debates and ideas that will contribute to the progress of Rajasthan and be remembered by future generations,” he said.
Mr. Sharma said that people are closely watching the conduct, dedication and functioning of their elected representatives and urged the legislators to introspect and work to maintain public trust.
Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully said that the Assembly is an institution where laws are made for the welfare of the people, but expressed concern that the role of legislators in the law-making process has gradually weakened.
He argued that many bills in recent years have been passed amid disruption without adequate debate and said all lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation, should be given ample opportunity to participate in debates.
Mr Jully also highlighted the need to increase the number of sittings of the Assembly, saying that legislatures across governments have seen a decline in the number of sittings.
“We need to strengthen the legislature. When the assembly completes 100 years, it should be number one in number of sittings and meaningful deliberations,” he said.
Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani said that democracy is a continuous flow of ideas. Mr. Devnani said such programs help legislators to rise above party politics and focus on the development of the state.
“Democracy is an ever-flowing Ganga of ideas. More such programs should be organized. When we come together on such occasions, political differences will disappear and the development and progress of Rajasthan will become our common agenda,” he said.
Mr. Devnani said the assembly’s 75th anniversary celebrations were aimed at strengthening democratic traditions, encouraging dialogue and promoting collective commitment to the development of the state.
Former and sitting MLAs were present in the programme.
Published – 15 Jul 2026 14:43 IST