The Hindu : National : Congress, CPI(M) condemn BJP's boycott decision

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Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004

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National

Congress, CPI(M) condemn BJP's boycott decision

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 27. The Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) today joined issue with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Opposition for its decision to boycott all parliamentary committees.

The Congress termed the move as "misplaced and misdirected" and an "attempt to derail parliamentary democracy," while the CPI(M) said the decision was "condemnable" and charged the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance with displaying "an immature and irresponsible attitude'' in Parliament ever since it lost the Lok Sabha elections.

`Unprecedented'

The Congress spokesperson, Anand Sharma, said the NDA move had neither logic nor justification. Both, the ruling party and the Opposition had an important role to play in ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament and its various committees.

The standing committees were not formed by the Government but constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman based on the respective strengths of political parties. "The Government has no role to play. The Opposition surely has the right to oppose the Government but no right to depose democracy... It's unprecedented and an attempt to subvert parliamentary process," Mr. Sharma said.

The Opposition owed an explanation to the electorate for its refusal to perform the role expected of elected representatives.

On the BJP's suggestion that the Opposition could reconsider the stand if the ruling coalition gave up its "confrontationist" approach, the Congress said it was the BJP/NDA that had embarked on the path of confrontation.

"The charge fits them better. They have to reconcile that they are not in power and should behave responsibly in the Opposition."

`BJP creating difficulties'

The CPI(M) said the BJP's sole aim was to create difficulties for the new Government. This approach went to the extent of not allowing even the Speaker to make a statement in the House.

"The BJP leadership should reconsider the boycott decision and be prepared to work democratically within Parliament and outside in raising the issues which it feels strongly about. Failure to do so will only reinforce the negative image it has acquired by its behaviour in Parliament," a Polit Bureau statement said.

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