Govt maligning us for disruption, we stand united on Pegasus debate demand: Opp
Leaders of 14 Opposition parties on Wednesday said the responsibility for the Parliament logjam lies squarely with the Centre and urged it to respect Parliamentary democracy by accepting their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus controversy and farmers’ issues.
Issuing a joint statement, 18 leaders from 14 parties said it is unfortunate that the Centre has “unleashed a misleading campaign to malign the combined Opposition” and blaming it for the continued disruption of Parliament proceedings.
The joint statement comes a day after the Opposition leaders met over breakfast hosted by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and drove on bicycles to Parliament in protest.
“The responsibility for the deadlock lies squarely at the doorsteps of the Government, which remains arrogant and obdurate and refuses to accept the Opposition’s demand for an informed debate in both the Houses,” read the statement.
“The Opp parties stand firm and united on their demand for a discussion on Pegasus issue in both the Houses, replied to by the Home Minister, as this has national security dimensions,” it said.
Earlier, a group of seven Opposition parties led by former NDA ally Shiromani Akali Dal submitted a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind urging him to direct the Govt to allow a full-fledged discussion in both the Houses on a range of issues they have been protesting ever since the Monsoon session started.