NDA is ''scared'' of debates on national issues : Congress

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) The Congress Party today criticised the BJP-led Opposition for disrupting the proceedings of Parliament on the second consecutive day, and said its "tactics" were to dodge debates on pressing issues of national importance.

"They disrupted the proceedings yesterday to avoid a debate on the status of implementation of the Sachar Committee recommendations on the backwardness of the Muslims. They followed the same tactics today to prevent the scheduled debate on Indo-US nuclear deal in Rajya Sabha," AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons here.

He said the BJP and its allies in the NDA were not interested in national issues. "Their interests are only in political oneupmanship." "If the Opposition is interested in national issues, they should have allowed Parliament to function so that the members would have got an opportunity to discuss how the nuke deal is in the national interest. Why are they apprehensive of debate." Accusing the Opposition of being disruptive without any provocation, he dubbed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as "National Disruptive Alliance" and "Naturally Destructive Alternative." Dr Singhvi dismissed as "ridiculous" the Opposition demand for constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to examine the Indo-US nuke deal.

In this context, he said international treaties were never subjected to scrutiny by Parliament.

Asked to comment on the allegation of Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav that the government had imported wheat at a huge price when there was bumper crop this year, Dr Singhvi said he did not have figures to give his reaction. "We will check up with the agriculture ministry and get back to you." Asked about the reported decision of the Left parties to organise agitations against the price rise, he said "The overall situation is diminishing prices and galloping growth." UNI