Black day for democracy: BJP

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 6. The BJP spokesman, Mr. V.K. Malhotra, today attacked the Opposition for stalling Parliament for the third consecutive day, describing today as the ``black day for democracy'' thus echoing what the non-BJP parties had said about this day exactly eight years ago when the Babri Masjid was demolished.

He pointed out that the Opposition's tactics had prevented a discussion of the Kargil report, the Prime Minister could not make a scheduled statement today on drought and floods which affect farmers most although it was the Opposition which had raised farmers' issues through an adjournment motion, and the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, could not say what he wanted to on the ``preconditions necessary for talks with Pakistan'' following India's ceasefire initiative.

He warned that foreign policy issues could not wait for the Opposition to behave, these issues could not wait indefinitely, and yet if something were to be spelt out outside Parliament, then again the Opposition would be annoyed.

With only 12 days left of the winter session - already 29 hours had been lost - there were two constitutional amendments on freezing of Lok Sabha constituencies and the Women's Reservation Bill to be enacted.

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Section  : National
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