Opposition Keeps Their Political Interests Above Country, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore into the opposition on Monday over parliament protests, accusing them of keeping their political interests above that of the country and obstructing the government's development work.

Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament have been stalled since the monsoon session began last week because of protests by the opposition over price rise.

"Many times, the opposition parties put some obstacles in the government's work as they could not implement the decisions taken by them when they were in power," PM Modi said addressing virtually a programme on the 10th death anniversary of former Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha member Harmohan Singh Yadav.

PM Modi said the opposition questioned the government on every decision.

"Now, if they (decisions) are implemented, they oppose it. People of the country don't like it," he said.

The Prime Minister said that in recent times, "a trend of keeping ideology or political interests above the interests of society and the country" had been seen.

Recalling the words of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi underscored the primacy of the nation over party politics.

"Parties exist because of democracy and democracy exists because of the country. Most parties in our country, especially all non-Congress parties, have followed this idea," he said.

The Prime Minister said during the Emergency, all major parties came together to save the Constitution.

Earlier on Monday, four Congress MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha for the entire session ending August 12 for protests with placards inside the house over price rise. Speaker Om Birla had earlier warned them against bringing placards to the house.

The suspended MPs staged a protest at the Gandhi Statue on parliament premises. Speaking to reporters along with the four suspended MPs, Congress' Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said, "The government is trying to intimidate us by suspending our MPs. What was their fault? They were trying to raise the issues which matter to people." The Congress party would not be cowed down, he asserted.