Lucknow

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly has emerged as a strong example of vibrant democracy, attributing the transformation to the leadership and initiatives taken by Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana.

Speaking on the second day of the 86th All India Conference of Presiding Officers at the Vidhan Mandap, Birla said that although he had visited the Uttar Pradesh Assembly earlier, the institution now truly stands out as a symbol of democratic vitality.

Commending Mahana’s approach, Birla said his active engagement as Speaker, combined with a firm commitment to established rules and procedures, sets an example for legislative institutions across the country. He noted that Mahana’s faith in parliamentary traditions serves as a source of guidance and inspiration.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said democratic values, time-tested traditions and innovative practices have been effectively implemented in what he described as not only the country’s largest legislative assembly, but one of the biggest in the world.

Birla also highlighted how the Assembly has benefitted from the professional expertise of its elected members. He said the experiences of legislators from diverse backgrounds — including doctors, engineers and chartered accountants — have been meaningfully utilised, allowing the institution to draw from a wide range of professional insights.

During the conference, a 13-minute short film was screened showcasing reforms and initiatives introduced under Mahana’s leadership. These included exclusive sessions for women legislators and interactive dialogues with young people.

Referring to these initiatives, Birla said the women-only sessions were aimed at strengthening women’s participation in politics and could serve as a model for other states. He added that youth-focused discussions were organised to deepen young citizens’ engagement with democratic processes, calling them commendable efforts.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said innovations in legislative functioning, changes in procedures, and experiments to widen democratic participation are essential and serve as learning points, which is why such conferences are organised for deliberation and exchange of ideas.

Reflecting on his six-year tenure as Speaker, Birla said he has witnessed significant evolution in legislative assemblies. He noted that during repeat visits to several state legislatures, he observed meaningful reforms and renewed efforts by speakers to encourage broader public involvement.

He added that these aspects were also discussed during a Standing Committee meeting, expressing hope that valuable suggestions emerging from the conference would lead to the formation of a committee to strengthen public trust in state legislatures and democratic institutions.

ALSO READ: India, UAE signs deals to deepen partnership during MBZ's short Delhi visit

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh inaugurated the second day of the conference. The 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference began in Lucknow on January 19 and will continue until January 21.