BHUBANESWAR, Nov 17: The Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma today suggested the evolution of a mechanism for sustaining coalition governments and for ensuring stability in governance since hung legislatures were becoming very common.

Mechanisms for harmonising the interests of the coalition partners and for resolving conflicts between them had to be perfected, he said while addressing a special session of the Orissa assembly to commemorate the golden jubilee of Independence.

Observing that coalition governments in the country had broken down more often due to personality factors rather than on account of genuine ideological differences, Sangma said personality factors should be eschewed for the sake of political stability. He said this was also true of Orissa which had seen coalition politics thrice since Independence.

Referring to political defections, Sangma said there was a strong reaction against defections including those within the limits of the Anti-Defection Law. The rationale of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution had been questioned, he said adding that the matter was being examined as part of a study on electoral reforms. He added that Orissa had witnessed defections in eight out of eleven assemblies since Independence.

Sangma referred to problems arising out of the emergence of sub-regional politics stemming from historical, geographical and economic reasons.

Aggrieved sub-regions would have to be involved in political power and the gains of economic development.

Saying that Orissa had faced the problem between its western region and the coastal plains, Sangma said sub-regional aspirations had to be considered in political life.

Sangma said that Orissa's politics had been characterised by internal dissensions and groupism. Popular rule had been interrupted by several spells of President's rule. Since economic development went hand in hand with political stability, Sangma said people should analyse the impact of frequent political changes on their economic progress. This may help them strive for harmonious political life and work out modalities for achieving socio-economic development irrespective of political changes, he said.Referring to the empowerment of women in the decision-making process, Sangma said the subject was now before Parliament where the 81st Constitutional Amendment Bill was pending. Whatever the outcome of the initiative, political parties should encourage women to make decisions in parties and governance.

Stating that the crisis of politics today is the crisis of leadership, the speaker said university students must be exposed to principles and the practice of politics, constitution and parliamentary institutions without affecting their studies.

Sangma said the special session of parliament held from August 26 to September 1 last had unanimously adopted a resolution for the country's future. The resolution aimed to ensure transparency, probity and accountability in public life, to purge our polity of criminalisation or its influence and to ensure orderly conduct of business in the legislature to provide a boost to the economy and ensure equity and social justice.He appealed to the members of the house to adopt a similar resolution to work towards the upliftment of the state.

The speaker of the Orissa assembly Chintamani Dyan Samantara presided over the session which was attended by Chief Minister J B Patnaik and other members.

Sangma also felicitated the environment minister, Prasanna Kumar Dash and veteran CPI MLA, Prasanna Kumar Panda, both freedom fighters.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.