Somnath concerned at Parliament stand-off

Concerned at the continuing Parliament stand-off over the 2G spectrum issue, former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee today said it should be allowed to function to discuss the issue of corruption, instead of trying to make it a political issue.

"It's a matter of great sorrow and concern ... We are very proud to call it highest democratic forum in the world ... But for 15 days it's not working at all ... Yesterday budgets were passed without discussion ... Nobody is opposed to this...," Chatterjee told reporters here.

He said that Parliament was not discussing the issue of corruption where it should be discussed and instead it was being made a political issue. "Who is passing the judgement?"

Asked whether democracy was failing, he said, "Democracy is failing in the sense those who are in charge of functioning are busy fighting among themselves and not for the country."

Asked whether he thought that that opposition should allow the house to function, Chatterjee said "I think all should allow it."