Sonia attacks BJP, says debate issues in parliament

Barmer (Rajasthan), Aug 30 (IANS) UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi Thursday took head-on BJP's threat of taking the coal blocks allocation issue to the streets.

She lashed out at the party for disrupting parliament over its demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation and reiterated that deadlocks can be solved through debate only.

"Some people want to do politics on every issue and they have stalled parliament... everything would have been clear through debate, but they do not want clarity on the issue. Debate in parliament can solve any issue," said a combative Gandhi while addressing a public rally in Rajasthan's Barmer district.

"They are out to destroy the democratic system... their attitude is doing damage to the legacy of our freedom fighters," she said speaking in Hindi.

Gandhi was here to inaugurate a Rs.688.65 crore lift drinking water project which aims to provide water from the Himalayas to people of 700 villages at their doorsteps in this Rajasthan district along the India-Pakistan border.

Two days ago, Gandhi, who has suddenly become aggressive inside the parliament, had asked party MPs to counter and expose the BJP, saying "blackmail is like bread and butter for the opposition party".

In a stern message to the BJP, Gandhi, without naming the party, said it will not be allowed to continue with disrupting the parliament.

"If they think only their wish will prevail, this will not do," she said.

Asking the BJP why it was shying away from a debate, she appealed to the party to join the debate in parliament to resolve the logjam.

"Will disruption of parliament solve the problem," asked Gandhi, urging all parties to shun politics and work together to face the challenges like price rise, drought, floods and social tension in the country.

"All parties should come forward and join hands with the government to deal with these challenges," she said.

The BJP has been forcing adjournments of the house since last week over its demand.

It has also sought cancellation of coal block allotments on the basis of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report and inquiry by a special investigative team into the allocations. According to the CAG report private parties had a windfall gain worth Rs.1.85 lakh crore in the allocation of the coal blocks.