Opposition does not have mandate to force govt: Cong

Adopting a tough posture on the demand for JPC probe into the 2G spectrum issue, the Congress today said the opposition does not have the mandate to force the government to do what its wants.

"Government has the mandate to rule the country. Opposition has the right to express its views. They can raise people's issues and problems. But they do not have the mandate to force the government to do what they want. The people have not given the mandate to the opposition for it," Congress spokesperson Shakil Ahmed told reporters outside Parliament.

On the deadlock in Parliament over the JPC demand, he said, "Government's stand is the party's stand. We have tried to take opposition into confidence but unfortunately it did not happen."

The standoff in Parliament continued for the eighth day with opposition creating pandemonium in both Houses, leading to their adjournment.

Terming the opposition behaviour as "irresponsible", Ahmed said, "Government has made it clear that there is a Public Accounts Committee and it is a constitutional provision that the CAG report will go to PAC.

"So how come the government will ignore constitutional provisions," he asked, and added, "First let the CAG report goes to PAC then let it be examined by it."

Since the PAC chairman is a BJP leader, "we are unable to understand why opposition does not believe in his neutrality and his capability," Ahmed said.