Cong trashes Swaraj's charge against Sonia

Congress today rejected BJP's accusation against Sonia Gandhi of not allowing opposition to air their views in Parliament, saying it was an "excuse" to disrupt the House and hit out at Sushma Swaraj for her decision to boycott meetings called by Lok Sabha Speaker.
Describing the BJP leader's allegation as "completely untrue", Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary took a dig at Swaraj over "prejudices in past" and recalled that she had threatened to get her head shaved if Sonia Gandhi became Prime Minister during 2004 Lok Sabha elections.
"The country had then said 'yes' to Gandhi but it was she (Gandhi) who said 'no' (to Prime Ministership)," she said.

"Democracy does not function in this manner. If you are looking for excuses to disrupt Parliament, you should find out some other excuse," Chowdhary told reporters at AICC briefing.
"If she does not want the meetings called by even Lok Sabha Speaker, this is casting aspersion on the honourable Speaker. If she had decided to boycot the meetings of Speaker, then it's an individual choice that she has made," she said.
Holding that it is very unfortunate that a senior leader like Swaraj, whom Congress holds in "high esteem", has made "an allegation, which is completely untrue", Chowdhary wondered how the BJP leader can know what Gandhi told her ministers.

"It is very unfortunate and uncharitable accusation being made against Gandhi. I do not know how she is privy to what Gandhi has spoken to anyone sitting across the floor. I doubt it very much. It is very unfair accusation against Gandhi.

"And we cannot forget the history of such prejudices in past....Should we remind them it was the Sushma Swaraj, who had in past said that she will get her head shaved if Gandhi became Prime Minister," she said.
The Congress spokesperson said each individual has to take accountability and responsibility and conduct oneself within those pararmeters in Parliamentary democracy.

Reflecting escalation of confrontation with government, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj today decided to boycott meetings to be called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister or Lok Sabha Speaker as she accused the Congress President of not allowing opposition to air their views in Parliament.
The BJP leader alleged she was prevented from speaking in the House this morning because Gandhi had "instigated" Congress members to create disturbances.