PM Modi On What Congress' New Year Resolution Should Be

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the Congress on Thursday accusing it of trying to "destroy Parliament."

"Those, who have enjoyed power for 50-60 years, they have no right to destroy Parliament...To stop functioning of Parliament," the prime minister said in an obvious reference to the principal opposition party. He was speaking at a public meeting in Noida shortly after launching a 14-lane expressway between Delhi and Meerut in Western Uttar Pradesh.

The year 2015 ends with the Modi government unable to get two of its showpiece legislations - a law to facilitate the Goods and Service Tax regime and an amended land acquisition law - passed due to stiff opposition from the Congress which has greater numbers than the BJP in the Rajya Sabha.

"It is unfortunate in this country that our Parliament where laws are made, it is not being allowed to run," Mr Modi said. "Those rejected by the people have Parliament to ransom...They don't let in function...We may not be allowed to speak in Lok Sabha but I want to say this in a Jan Sabha, that we have been sent to Parliament to debate and discuss and to decide after discussion. We should give priority to the work that we are expected to do." Mr Modi's party enjoys absolute majority in the Lok Sabha.

Targeting the Congress, which stalled passage of the GST bill and led the disruptions in the recently concluded winter session of Parliament, Mr Modi said, "Tomorrow is the new year. When you celebrate, take a pledge not to stop Parliament from functioning."

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"Especially to those who ruled for 50-60 years. They should know better what is the role of government and how it should function. It is their responsibility not to let their political compulsions come in the way of development of the country."

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