CHENNAI: Nearly 30% (175) of Lok Sabha MPs have participated in less than 20 debates and raised few questions since 2014, when the 16th Lok Sabha was constituted. With just two more sessions to go before the general elections next year, an analysis of the performance of MPs shows there are 25 who have neither participated in any debate nor raised a single question so far.

The data has been culled out from the Lok Sabha website and PRS Legislative Research . TOI looked only at data for MPs who have been there since 2014 and not those who were subsequently elected in a byelection. The 175 MPs include some senior politicians from all parties and yester-year film stars as well as first-time MPs. The average attendance of these MPs is 73% against the overall average of 80%.

“Generally an MP’s performance cannot be decided based only on their participation in debates or raising questions as they may be doing good work in their constituencies. At the same time, an MP has to be present when the house is in session. Thus if attendance is less than 50% then he or she is not representing those who voted for them,” said Association of Democratic Reforms founder Jagdeep Chokkar.

BJP MP from Porbandar in Gujarat , Vitthalbhai Hansrajbhai Radadiya, has never participated in any debate or raised any question. His attendance is only 15%. Biju Janata Dal MP from Kandhamal, Hemendra Chandra Singh, has 97% attendance but has never participated in any debate or raised a question. Most of these 175 MPs are educated, with some being doctors or post graduates.

“There are three sessions each year and it is easy to participate in not less than five debates each year. At the same time, it also depends on the party whip. If the whip feels an MP is not a good speaker and would not be able to speak on behalf of the party, the MP may not get a chance at all. But nothing prevents the MP from raising questions and presenting himself in the house,” said DMK Rajya Sabha MP TKS Elangovan.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, former president Sonia Gandhi , former deputy prime minister L K Advani, former Union minister Murli Manohar Joshi and other senior party leaders too have few debates and questions. Hema Malini, BJP MP from Mathura, has participated in 17 debates in the last four years and raised 209 questions. Her attendance percentage is only 40%. Similarly, Sinha, BJP MP from Patna Sahib, has 68% attendance but has not participated in a single debate.

