New Delhi : Blaming the opposition for trying to stall government’s reforms agenda by obstructing Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said it has “let the country down”.
Naidu also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is happy that so many bills were passed in Lok Sabha.
“With a heavy heart, I am constrained to say the opposition has let the country down in Rajya Sabha during the winter session. The way they have disrupted the house for almost half of the session has no justification,” Naidu said in a press conference after both houses were adjourned sine die.
“The stalling of parliament by the opposition which obstructed the passage of key bills is an effort to stall this government’s development agenda and with a view to restrict the government’s choice in next budget,” he said.
The minister said Rajya Sabha saw disruptions during 16 of the total 22 sittings, while only “brief interruptions” were witnessed in Lok Sabha in the same period.
“It was evident; while majority in Lok Sabha was used constructively, the same was used to obstruct legislations in Rajya Sabha,” said Naidu.
The minister added that Lok Sabha passed 18 bills, while Rajya Sabha could pass only 12.
“At least six bills that were passed by Lok Sabha could not even be taken up by Rajya Sabha,” he said.