Shed confrontationist mindset for parliament functioning: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday made it clear that be it the GST or any other bill, unless the "confrontationist mindset" of the government was shed and a "conducive environment" created, the parliament's smooth functioning during the winter session beginning later this month was not possible.

"First, the environment should be such that there can be dialogue between the government and the opposition. Parliamentary democracy cannot be reduced to just one bill.

"If there is confrontationist mindset of the PM and his ministers, it is difficult to create a conducive atmosphere or environment," Anand Sharma told media persons.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said he would approach Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on the issue of the GST bill.

"Looking at the present situation, it is quite clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji doesn't want an atmosphere to have a dialogue with the opposition should be created," he added.

"The PM and his government has both arrogant and confrontationist mindset. They should first make real effort to shed this confrontationist mindset by seeking constructive engagement with the opposition," said Sharma.