Even as Parliament was frequently disrupted over allegations levelled by Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma against Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday voiced its disapproval of the Minister’s conduct.
“The language used by Mr. Verma against the SP leader is regretful and condemnable. Civil discourse is the essence of democracy,” BJP spokesperson and party’s Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad told journalists.
If the SP, which provides crucial support to the Congress-led UPA government, had any self-respect, it should demonstrate the courage to withdraw its support. “The Minister has heaped filthiest abuse against Mr. Yadav, who is the top SP leader. The party should display courage to pull out of the government,” Mr. Prasad said.
On the Sri Lanka issue, he said the BJP has maintained that the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils should be respected and their safety and security ensured. Pointing out that Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, along with two of his senior Cabinet colleagues, had rushed to Chennai to meet DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, the BJP spokesperson said the Finance Minister was absent in the Rajya Sabha when discussion on Union Budget took place.
“It shows utter anarchy in the UPA government. The countdown for this coalition government, led by the Congress, has begun. The government is losing national and long term perspective; even its allies feel disillusioned. Political credibility and viability of the UPA government is declining with each passing day,’’ Mr. Prasad said.
