Sonia appeals to NDA, Opp parties to help passage of bills

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi tonight appealed to the NDA and other Opposition parties to come together and collectively help the government pass the food security and land acquisition bills.
"We are disappointed that we have not been able to get crucial legislations enacted entirely because of this obstructionist approach. Parliament still has time to fulfill our duties to our people," she said at a function to celebrate four years of UPA-II.
"I take this opportunity to make a fervent plea to the NDA and other Opposition parties -- let us come together and collectively ensure passage of the food security and land acquisition bills and other important bills," she said.

Gandhi also came down heavily on the BJP for the logjam in Parliament accusing the main Opposition of preventing Parliament from functioning and fulfilling its constitutional role and its democratic obligations.
"These are not partisan issues. It is not a question of government versus the Opposition. These bills affect the lives and livelihood of millions whom we are committed to represent and benefit," Gandhi said.
At the same time, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the government was not considering promulgation of Ordinances or convening special session of Parliament for enacting the two key laws.
"We have not applied our mind on that," he told reporters when asked whether the government was considering promulgation of ordinances or convening a special session of Parliament for enacting the two key laws.

"We are determined to make it an Act of Parliament. I hope the Opposition will recognise the importance of this and (extend) support," he said.