New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- Lawmakers have right to speak, but we "should not cross the Lakshman rekha", Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan said on Tuesday as he sought the support of leaders of various political parties to ensure smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha.

In his first meeting with the floor leaders at the Parliament complex, Radhakrishnan said: "We have the right to speak, that's our duty, too. But we should not cross the Lakshman Rekha."

Defending the right of the Opposition to differ with the government, the new Vice President said: "Without differences there is no democracy!"

Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President of India on September 9 after securing 452 of 767 votes- a higher-than-expected tally against th...