Kolkata, July 3, 2026 – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged newly-elected Members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly today to shift their focus from mere criticism to the development of practical solutions, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue and responsible lawmaking. Addressing an orientation program for first-time legislators, Birla highlighted the significant demographic shift in the current Assembly, with 181 first-time MLAs and 194 members aged between 25 and 55.
The Speaker stressed that legislatures should be forums where ideas engage vigorously, but democratic values and mutual respect remain paramount. He further encouraged the MLAs to embrace lifelong learning, utilizing resources like the 'Digital Sansad' platform to access a vast repository of parliamentary knowledge and comparative legislative experiences. This, he suggested, would enrich their understanding and foster informed leadership.
A Call for Constructive Engagement
Birla’s address, delivered at an orientation program organized by the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) in collaboration with the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, aimed to familiarize new members with legislative functioning and traditions. He underscored that elected representatives bear a dual responsibility: representing their constituencies while safeguarding the broader developmental aspirations of the state.
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"Legislatures should remain institutions where ideas compete but democratic values prevail."
The Speaker also noted the growing influence of technology in governance, pointing to the opportunities it presents for legislators to access policy documents and best practices. He encouraged members to spend time in the Assembly, actively listening to debates even when not scheduled to speak, as a means to deepen their understanding of the legislative process.
Background
The orientation program was attended by MLAs from across political spectrums. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly has seen a historic influx of new members, a demographic change that Birla highlighted as an opportunity for a renewed approach to governance. This event underscores a broader push towards enhancing parliamentary practices and fostering a more informed and constructive legislative environment.
