BJP condemns Cong objection to naming Sonia in Parliament

New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) The BJP today termed as ''undemocratic behaviour'' the attempt by Congress members to prevent the Opposition from even naming their party president Sonia Gandhi in Parliament.

BJP spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the attitude of the Congress members was condemnable and would make things worse for the smooth functioning of the House.

Only in British Parliament are the members not allowed to take the name of the Queen who is the head of the state, while here the Congress president is an active participant as the chairperson of the UPA coalition and as chairman of the National Advisory Council, he said.

In the coming days, Mr Malhotra said, the Opposition would have no option but to raise questions on the role of Ms Gandhi in the fleeing of Bofors accused Ottavio Quattrocchi from the country and defreezing of his London bank accounts.

If the Congressmen take exception to the Opposition raising Ms Gandhi's name, then it would reflect on the functioning of Parliament, he said.

Welcoming the decision of the government to not allow Muslim head count in defence forces, Mr Malhotra said there were five committees which were functioning in this government protecting their interests and all of them should be wound up and Minister for Minority Affairs A R Antulay allowed to function as a full fledged minister.

The Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee on status of Muslims, which created the divisive campaign, should be wound up, he demanded.

He said there was a two-year delay in constituting the pay commission for the government employees. The government should declare interim relief for this section of people. The party, he said, also supported the demand for constituting a wage board for journalists and non-journalists in the country.

UNI MCN/KAS LR BD1642