TMC MP Derek O’Brien offers 8 suggestions to VP-elect CP Radhakrishnan
The Statesman | 11 September 2025“Good wishes to the newly elected Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan,” O’Brien said in a post on social media forwarding eight suggestions to the Vice President, who will also serve as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
The suggestions include:
Take Notice of the Opposition: O’Brien urged Radhakrishnan to allow more notices from Opposition MPs to be discussed on the floor of Parliament, citing a significant decline in accepted notices under the previous chairman.
Stop Mass Suspension of MPs: The TMC MP criticised the mass suspension of MPs in December 2023 and suggested a more measured approach to maintaining order in the House.
Choosing Vice Chairs: O’Brien recommended that the Chairman select experienced MPs for the Vice Chairman’s panel after consulting their parties before announcing their names.
Don’t Censor Protests: He advocated for broadcasting Opposition protests on Sansad TV, ensuring fair coverage of parliamentary proceedings.
Ensure Scrutiny of Bills: The TMC MP suggested referring more bills to parliamentary committees for critical examination and stakeholder consultation.
Let MPs Exercise Constitutional Rights: O’Brien emphasised the importance of allowing MPs to move amendments and request electronic voting on bills.
Accept Points of Order: He reminded the Vice-President-elect that accepting points of order is crucial for maintaining parliamentary decorum and ensuring that members’ concerns are addressed.
Discontinue Birthday Greetings: The TMC MP questioned the practice of wishing MPs on their birthdays, suggesting this time could be better utilised for discussing national issues.
CP Radhakrishnan, a veteran politician and former Governor of Maharashtra, was elected as India’s 15th Vice President on September 9, with 452 votes, defeating Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy. With his new role, Radhakrishnan will play a key part in shaping the legislative agenda and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha.
