Ministers fall in a different category.
They are not only allowed to read from prepared statements, but, what is more, can table their speeches in the House. Unfortunately, the rule does not extend the same courtesy to the Leader of the Opposition, though she too enjoys Cabinet minister status. So, poor Sonia Gandhi, the reader-leader of the Congress party, has a huge problem on her hands. She cannot speak extempore for more than a moment or two, while her job demands that speak she must, at least on solemn occasions. On Monday, February 20, when the Lok Sabha paid rich tributes to Communist Party of India veteran Indrajit Gupta, before adjourning for the day, Sonia was hard put to say a few words without referring to the written text.