Sonia, Rahul responsible for Parliament deadlock: Javadekar

Says stalling Parliament proceedings in such a manner, amounts to contempt of democracy

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar today said holding the Parliament to ransom was a "contempt of democracy" and blamed Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for the logjam during the ongoing monsoon session.

"Sonia and Rahul are responsible for disrupting Parliament. Stalling Parliament proceedings in such a manner, amounts to contempt of democracy. Hindering business of the House wastes tax-payers' money to the tune of crores of rupees," Javadekar told reporters after taking part at a party function here.

The Union Environment Minister said that Parliament is unable to function as the Congress had adopted an "adamant stand".

"It appears that Congress has not yet come to terms after the drubbing it received in the last Lok Sabha election. That's why it was disrupting the Parliament (proceedings), despite the fact that government is ready for a debate on any issue," he said.

The minister accused Congress of skipping debates when in power, resulting into disruption of Parliament.

"Now the party has adopted an adamant posture, as a result of which the Parliament cannot transact any business. This is detrimental to the country's interests.

"I hope that the collective wisdom will prevail upon Congress and other opposition parties at the all-party meet called tomorrow and they will allow Parliament to function in the remaining period of the session," the Minister said.

Led by Congress, the opposition parties have stalled discussions in the Parliament, demanding resignations of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the Lalit Modi controversy and that of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in connection with the Vyapam scam.

Javadekar said that BJP, on behalf of 11,000 men, had decided to hand over accident insurance policies to their sisters on the Raksha Bandhan day in each assembly constituency.

He said that BJP wants to cover a large number of women under accident insurance policy.