Opposition adamant despite our reaching out: Goel

On the day Rajya Sabha saw an unusual 11 adjournments and the government failed to get an anti-corruption bill passed, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel on Wednesday blamed the opposition for the continued logjam in Parliament and said that some parties were adamant despite government's efforts to placate them.

"It has been proved today that there are a few opposition parties who are creating ruckus and not allowing Parliament to function," he told reporters after the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day.

"It's not about this Bill only, the opposition has been stalling both Houses of Parliament for the last 19 days. Someone should tell us as to what these opposition parties want. The Bill we wanted to pass today is against the corruption. What problem did opposition have with this bill, we cannot understand," Goel said.

The government had moved the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2013 amid the din but could not get it passed as the agitating members of the Congress, TDP, AIADMK and others opposed the move and the Trinamool Congress demanded a division.

Goel said that the government has been trying to reach out to the opposition leaders.

"The government is reaching out to opposition. As we did today repeatedly during the adjournments. We are even going to the homes of opposition leaders. Today itself I went to see Mr. Thambidurai (of the AIADMK) at his place. So, when we meet the leaders outside Parliament they say they are all for running the House but inside they stall it," he said.

--IANS

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