BJP asks Cong to show responsibility, allow Parliament to run

BJP today said most political parties want Parliament to function and asked Congress to show "responsibility" as it has ruled the country for so long and should allow both the Houses to function.
Finance Minister and Leader of House in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley cited the all party meeting called by the government today to note that most of the political parties wanted the stalemate resolved and added that the main opposition party was isolated.
"We will expect that the Congress party, which is isolated on the issue, to exhibit their responsible side as they have ruled for so song and should allow Parliament to function," Jaitley told reporters as Parliament witnessed yet another day of washout.

He said even in Rajya Sabha most members were of the view that there should be discussion. "Not only the supporters of the government but even many among those opposed to us wanted it," Jaitley said.
Congress should reconsider its stand of stalling Parliament, he said.
Jaitley said there were many issues like floods in parts of the country and agricultural issues which members wanted to raise. Economic legislations like GST bill also needed to be discussed and passed, he said.

Referring to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's statement in Rajya Sabha on the opposition's charge that she helped former IPL boss Lalit Modi get travel papers from the UK government, he said she had a right to respond.

Her reply caused desperation in Congress, he said, adding that this is why the opposition party wanted her statement expunged from records.
Jaitley said there could not be comparison between BJP's disruption of Parliament when it was in opposition and the ongoing Congress protest as his party resorted to it only after evidence like registration of an FIR or CAG report came in the open.