Pass food, land bills in public interest, Sonia appeals to opposition

Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday appealed to the opposition to cooperate with the government in passing the key food security and land acquisition bills in the interest of people, while expressing her disppointment that parlianent was not allowed to run to enable the passage of the bills.

"I make a plea to the NDA and other opposition parties...let us come together to ensure passage of the food security and the land acquisition bills and other important bills," Gandhi said at a function here to mark the UPA's ninth anniversary.

"These are not partisan issues...these affect the lives of millions who we are commuited to represent," she said.

The BJP did not allow the passage of these two bills demanding that Prime Miister Manmohan Singh resign on wrongdoing in the allocation of coal blocks.

"I can't hide my deep sense of disappointment," Gandhi said while referring to the BJP's attitude, without naming the party.

"Key bills could not be passed," she added.