BJP to boycott meetings of Speaker, Parl Affairs Minister

Reflecting escalation of confrontation with government, BJP today decided to boycott meetings to be called by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister or the Lok Sabha Speaker as it accused Congress President Sonia Gandhi of not allowing opposition to air their views in Parliament.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said there is a "situation of total breakdown" and the government is "responsible" for it.
Addressing a press conference, she alleged she was prevented from speaking in the House this morning because Gandhi had "instigated" Congress members to create disturbances.
She said the decision was arrived at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) that she would speak on the issue of coal blocks allocation and BJP would allow passage of the Finance Bill today to prevent it from lapsing.

"Whatever is decided in BAC is not implemented, but whatever Sonia Gandhi decides takes place," Swaraj said.
She said when she was prevented from speaking, even Speaker Meira Kumar did not give "protection" to her.

"So, we have decided that we will not attend any meeting to be convened by the Speaker or the Parliamentary Affairs Minister," the BJP leader said, adding the "decision has been taken because of government's attitude in Lok Sabha today."
Replying to questions, she said "the countdown for this government has begun."
At the same time, she said BJP will will not move no-confidence motion against the government.

On the logjam in Parliament for days, she said BJP wanted at least the resignation by Law Minister Ashwani Kumar in connection with CBI's contention that its status report on coal block allocation was vetted by him.
Swaraj maintained BJP wanted the House to run as it wanted discussion on issues like Chinese incursions, Sarabjit Singh and rape of minor girls.