PM Modi compares Parliament to a 'varsity', says zero tolerance to VIP culture

"Beta Kisi ka bhi ho ....(He may be son of any leader....but we disapprove such actions)," Mr Modi reportedly told the party MPs at the BJP Parliamentary meeting here.

He urged the party's lawmakers at the first meeting of BJP Parliamentary Party after the massive win in recent polls not to take law in their hands and categorically said "Man-maani nahi chalegi (arrogance and misbehaviour cannot be tolerated)".

A party source later said: "Prime Minister Modiji said such arrogance and VVIP culture should stop immediately because BJP has come to power to serve people."

Son of Kailash Vijayvargiya, the 34-year-old Akash Vijayvargiya, a first-time MLA who represents Indore-3 Assembly segment, was caught on TV cameras assaulting municipal officer Dhirendra Singh Bais with a cricket bat.

Sources said the party's Madhya Pradesh unit would be serving a show-cause notice to Akash Vijayvargiya soon.

The Prime Minister also sounded his displeasure in the manner some leaders speak out of turn or conduct themselves before media or in public.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi told reporters that PM said Parliament should be considered like 'a university' for MPs, saying it provides them biggest opportunity to learn.

Prime Minister has been very much displeased with poor attendance of MPs in both the Houses during proceedings.

Lately, BJP was left embarrassed as despite presence of 303 MPs in lower House only 186 members were present when the the Triple Talaq Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on June 21.

There were 186 votes in support of Treasury bench and 74 members had voted against The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 when AIMIM member Asaduddin Owaisi had sought a division of votes.

Ironically, this was the first legislation tabled by the government in the 17th Lok Sabha.

PM Modi also disapproved the conduct of those party functionaries, who celebrated the MLA Akash Vijayvargiya's release from police custody.

"If somebody commits a mistake, there should be a sense of regret as well," PM Modi had reportedly said. This was in reference to perhaps Kailash Vijayvargiya's remarks that his son was was being novice when he behaved in such a manner.

Akash Vijayvargiya had virtually defended his action and refused to apologise.

Kailash Vijayvargiya, a BJP national general secretary and in-charge of West Bengal, was at the meeting when PM Modi made reference to his son's conduct.

BJP chief Amit Shah and its working president J.P. Nadda were felicitated.

"Had a great BJP Parliamentary Party meet earlier today. A wide range of issues were discussed. Looking forward to a fruitful session ahead," the Prime Minister later tweeted.

The Parliament session - first since the return of the Modi government, had begun on June 17 and will continue till July 26.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Budget 2019-20 on July 5.

In his address, Prime Minister said the party MPs should make it a regular habit to ensure their presence in Parliament during the proceedings in both the Houses.

According to sources, the Prime Minister deplored members' absence from House proceedings and said: "How will you feel if you win your election by two lakh votes but come to know that your best friend did not vote? How will you feel if a rally by party president Amit Shah in your constituency is cancelled at the last minute?"

The Prime Minister also cited the example of LJP MP Chirag Paswan for his good attendance in Parliament.

Image credit: UNI