Govt. puts onus on Oppn as Advani threatens to resign

The government on Thursday attempted to downplay Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Lal Krishna Advani's concerns with regard to repeated disruptions in Parliament and put the onus on the opposition parties for the same.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkiah Naidu said everyone is upset because of the Congress attitude in Parliament.

"Everyone is saddened by how they are disrupting the Parliament. The whole country is sad due to this reason. Some people are intentionally disturbing the Parliament. Who has been ranting slogans and disturbing from the beginning is clear to everyone," Naidu told the media here.

"He [Advani] being a senior has rightly been hurt by developments," he added.

Advani earlier stated that he feels like resigning from Parliament because of unending disruptions in both houses.

He said that the now ailing former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would have been very sad to witness the state of affairs in Parliament.

Advani asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to speak to the opposition and try and restore order so that the Houses can run.

As the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day shortly after noon, Advani remained seated in the house even as other members slowly left. Advani was approached by Idris Ali of the Trinamool Congress.

"My health is fine but the health of Parliament is not. I feel like resigning," Idris quoted Advani as saying later.