Not allowing debate in parliament bad for democracy: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attacked the Congress for disrupting Parliament and said not allowing debate was a bad sign for a democratic system.

"I agree there are lot of problems... Whether the blame is on us or others, I leave it to the people to decide," Modi told TimesNow television in an interview.

Advocating the need for a debate, he said: "The sad part is they are running away from debate. This is a serious issue for a democracy.

"Parliament is there for debate and to express one's opposition. The responsibility of saving this spirit of Parliament is with all those who support democracy.

"I have personally met and talked to opposition leaders, important people of our government also talk to opposition."

Modi pointed out it was not the entire opposition which was creating trouble in Parliament and there were also parties that were not with the government but supported it on key issues.

Pointing fingers at the Congress without naming it, Modi said "one party" had "problems" and the party had been in power for 60 years and they knew how the government works.

He said if the Bharatiya Janata Party took to the opposition in "2040", it cannot behave the way it did in 2009-10.

--IANS

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