New Delhi, Aug 9 (PTI) Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today said despite the strict protocol that he had to follow due to his post, he tried to meet as many people as possible and stressed that he had "retired from political life" but was not "tired of public life".

He was speaking at the launch of Book 'Bebak Baat', a book authored by Union minister Vijay Goel. Naidu said as the vice president, he had to follow certain protocols, but even then he tried to meet as many people as he could.

"I'm not in politics now. I also do not belong to Goelji, Ashwini Chaubey's party...I've retired from political life but not tired of public life. I have always been with the public 24x7...Now, as VP occupying the constitutional responsibility I can't do it...

"In the programmes that I go, they tell me what the protocol is...I cannot digest this, but I still try and adjust protocol during my visits across the country to meet people. I cannot live without meeting people," he said.

The vice president said making people aware of their actions and thoughts through books by MPs is a healthy method of continuous communication.

He further said the members of Parliament should follow the democratic method of constructive dialogue and everyone should work to fulfil the aspirations of the people of the country, he added.

He expressed concern over the present trend of disrupting Parliament by members hampering the developmental activities.

"The government should propose, the opposition to oppose and finally the House should dispose," he added.

He also said the opposition had the right to be heard and he had even told the government to let them speak.

"The opposition must have its say, the government must have its way. That is the only way of governance," he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)