Obstructionist politics hurting country: PM

Unhappy over wastage of Monsoon Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today hit out at BJP, saying its obstructionist politics amounts to "total negation" of democracy and is hurting efforts to revive growth besides weakening the country.

As turmoil-ridden session ended, he warned that the politics of disruption would be a "grave violation" of democracy and could lead to "deeply divided and disenchanted" country.

He promised that issues raised in the CAG report over coal block allocation would not be swept under the carpet and whatever corrective action is necessary will be taken.

Noting that the country is faced with several challenges on security and economic front, Singh said the government can rebuild growth momentum but is "constantly distracted by the actions of those who prefer obstruction over discussion".

Speaking to reporters and later in a message to the nation, Singh said the CAG report on coal block allocation should have been discussed in Parliament and Public Accounts Committee but the Opposition chose to cause disruptions.

"We have just ended a wasted session of Parliament. Both the Houses were paralysed because CAG has issued a report which rightly or wrongly has certain allegations about public functionaries," Singh told reporters outside Parliament shortly after the end of Monsoon Session.

Without naming BJP which disallowed functioning of Parliament by pressing for the Prime Minister's resignation, he said, "The Opposition chose not to take advantage of the subtle institutional practices dealing with the reports of CAG and insisted on disrupting Parliament. This is negation of democracy."

He asked "countrymen and countrywomen to make up their mind if this is the right way" to serve the functioning democracy.

"We take pride in the fact that since Independence, we have been a practising and functioning democracy. What we have witnessed in this session is a total negation of that.