Blame, counter blame for wasting parliament hours

Congress and BJP on Thursday locked in a blame-game accusing each other of not allowing Parliament to function smoothly as a result of which many important issues including Bills could not be taken up during the monsoon session.

"It is very unfortunate. BJP and other political parties did not allow Parliament to function. So many issues could have been discussed in Parliament but we could not do so," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters.

Alvi said "There were many issues. It has happened in the last session and it also happened in the current session. Many bills and important issues could not be taken up due to disruptions in Parliament. "I am sure BJP will realise one day that they did not do the right thing by disrupting Parliament," the Congress MP said.

Making a counter-attack, BJP said the basic responsibility lies with the government to ensure smooth functioning of the House.

"It all depends on the ruling parties. The basic responsibility lies with the government to run the House in a proper manner. If the government did not cooperate and if the ruling party members themselves come to the well of the House and if they do not allow the opposition to speak, then what will happen"? said BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu.

"When Advaniji has given notice for the suspension of the Question Hour and the Speaker gave him permission the ruling party members did not let him speak," Naidu said.

Accusing Congress of wasting parliament's time, he said "this is the mindset of the ruling party. We also feel sorry and we also want the House to function smoothly. We could not discuss agrarian crisis. The ruling party is not serious in running the House in a proper manner."