Govt-BJP stand-off worsens

Parliament failed to transact business for the sixth straight day because of the continuing confrontation and both the Congress and the BJP announced that they would take to the streets.

The tone for the day was set by Gandhi who addressed the Congress Parliamentary Party where she accused BJP of making "blackmail" its "political bread and butter" and holding Parliament to ransom.

A combative Congress President asked the party to "stand up and fight aggressively" the BJP's "wanton irresponsibility".

BJP hit back at Gandhi, saying it did not need a certificate of responsibility from Congress party and reminded her of Congress' accountability towards Parliament.

 

The mutual recrimination was reflected in Parliament which was paralysed for the sixth consecutive day, with BJP continuing to create bedlam while other Opposition parties wanted the Parliament to function.

Gandhi displayed on the floor of Lok Sabha her determination to aggressively take on BJP. She egged on her members to counter opposition's sloganeering on coal allocation issue.

While tomorrow's is holiday for Parliament because of Kerala's biggest festival of Onam, there are clear signs that the rest of the Monsoon session ending September 7 could be a washout.

Unfazed by BJP's tactics, the government is believed to have decided to go ahead with legislative business and possibly pass some bills even in the din. (MORE)