'Yesterday's agitators have suddenly become today's champions of discussions': Sonia

New Delhi, Aug. 3 (ANI): Taking a dig at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday said that yesterday's agitators in both the Houses have suddenly become today's champions of debate and discussion, over the ongoing logjam in the Parliament. 

"Today, we have to listen to sermons on parliamentary behaviour from those who not only defended but also advocated disruption as a legitimate tactic when we they were in the opposition. Yesterday's agitators in both the Houses have suddenly become today's champions of debate and discussion," said Gandhi, while addressing a party parliamentary meeting here today.
"Memories are short and therefore we need to remind our political adversaries who conveniently are suffering from selective amnesia. Has the BJP already forgotten that it is the author of the "resign-now-debate-later" principle of parliamentary practice which it has used on at least five different occasions since 1993?" she asked. 

"Let me say that we are not being aggressive just to match the BJP's aggression of the past. We have been forced to take our position because of the government's completely brazen attitude. Of course, we want both the Houses to function. Of course, we want legislation to be debated and adopted. But we are very clear that there can be no productive discussion and no meaningful proceedings as long as those responsible for gross wrong-doings remain in office," she added. 

She further said that the Congress' stand on the issue has been clear from day one which is the resignations of Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chauhan. 

"Our stand is straightforward and clear from day one: there is a mountain of incontrovertible evidence in the public domain for the Prime Minister to require the resignations of the External Affairs Minister and the two chief ministers," said the Congress president. 

"For too long, this government has used its numerical strength as a source of arrogance rather than responsibility. First, Parliament is by-passed and a spate of ordinances are issued and some re-issued as well. Bills don't get referred to Standing Committees. And now this numerical strength is being used to substitute investigation by mere discussion. This is unacceptable to us and we will do all that is necessary to hold this government accountable," she said. 

"Parliamentary majority does not give anyone a license to escape accountability. It is our Constitutional right and duty to raise our voices against the acts of omission and commission of the government," she added. (ANI)