The Hindu : National : Opposition not accepting people's mandate: Azad

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Sunday, Jul 25, 2004

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Opposition not accepting people's mandate: Azad

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 24. A day after Parliament was adjourned amid uproarious scenes, the acrimony still lingers. Today the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, accused the Opposition parties of being "unnecessarily belligerent and confrontationist."

Addressing the customary end-of-session press conference, he said the Opposition was still to "accept and digest the mandate of the people" and appealed to his friends in the Opposition to "gracefully accept the mandate and to wait for the next elections".

Mr. Azad said the Government's approach was one of "consensus and cooperation" and it was more than willing to work with the Opposition in running the Government and the House. He appealed to the Opposition to give up the path of confrontation, as there was no way in which it could hope to overturn the verdict. Mr. Azad blamed the Opposition for Parliament's inability to discuss and debate serious issues such as drought and flood in many parts of the country as well as issues such as the internal security situation. "It is strange that they first demand a debate and when the matter comes up before the House, they stall the proceedings," he said.

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