New Delhi: United Democratic Front (UDF) MP NK Premachandran has earned the distinction of being among the members of the 17th Lok Sabha, who regularly participated in debates. 

According to data shared by PRS Legislative Research, BSP member Malook Nagar (Bijnor) participated in 582 debates followed by DMK member D NV Senthilkumar from Dharmapuri (307 debates), RSP member N K Premachandran from Kollam (265), NCP-SCP member from Baramati Supriya Sule (248).

Premachandran has been under attack over his lunch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CPM leadership came down heavily against  Premachandran for accepting the PM's invitation to have lunch with him in the Parliament House canteen on February 9 and alleged that it was a "newfound closeness" with the RSS. However, Meanwhile, the Congress and RSP whole-heartedly backed the Kollam MP. Premachandran justified his accepting the invitation from the PMO saying it was a friendly meeting beyond politics

Meanwhile, the other Kerala MPs who regularly participated in debates are Kodikunnil Suresh (123), AM Ariff (113), and Shashi Tharoor(101). 

PRS Legislative considers a member taking part in the discussion on bills, raising issues during Zero Hour, special mentions, and association with issues raised by other members under the category of 'participation in debates'.

With PTI inputs