BJP disruption of Lok Sabha for cheap publicity: Congress

New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) The Congress Party today charged the BJP-led Opposition with disrupting the proceedings of the Lok Sabha on "flimsy grounds" and for "cheap publicity." Party Spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan came down heavily on the BJP for forcing adjournment of the House twice on the Quattrocchi issue, and said ''it is not fair to disrupt the Parliamentary proceedings in such a fashion on an issue which does not exist.'' ''We condemn the anti-people, anti-democratic and anti-Parliament behaviour of the BJP in the Lok Sabha today,'' she said.

She asked the BJP to stop its "undemocratic behaviour" in the House and allow discussion on the issues affecting the people.

Asked why Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not come forward to give a reply to the issue raised by Leader of Opposition L K Advani on defreezing of London bank accounts of Bofors case accused Italian Businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, Ms Natarajan said the Minister of State for Personnel Suresh Pachauri could also reply. ''It is for the government to decide who should reply to what. Moreover, the Council of Ministers had collective responsibility.'' Ms Natarajan said it was highly regrettable that the BJP was stalling the proceedings of the House on an issue (Bofors) which they themselves could have solved when they were in power. ''Instead they are still continuing with their criticism against the Congress.'' Asked about the allegation levelled against Congress President Sonia Gandhi by Mr Advani on the floor of the Lok Sabha today, Ms Natarajan said ''It is not that they are accusing someone new. They have been doing this for long.'' UNI SH RP BD1710