Cong issues whip to MPs to be present in Parliament

Congress sources said the whip has been issued to ensure presence of members in Parliament.

Party spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that Congress was prepared for a detailed discussion under a rule that does not entail voting.

Asked if UPA allies DMK and TMC will back the government, he said, "Let the Opposition not doubt our unity."

On the Congress strategy in Parliament, he said, "We have only one strategy that is that Parliament should work and we have some productive output...A lot of bills are pending".

The move to issue the whip comes after BJP had said yesterday that it would settle for nothing less than an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss the price rise issue and warned that Government's refusal would lead to a "confrontation".

"It is a serious issue related to the common man and anything less than an adjournment motion would not serve the purpose," party's deputy leader in the lower house Gopinath Munde had said.

He had said if the Government failed to heed to BJP's demand, it would lead to a "confrontation".

Munde had said the party will demand a debate on price rise issue in Rajya Sabha under Rule 168, which also entails voting, and request the Chair to keep aside the Question Hour.

"Almost all opposition parties have demanded an adjournment motion and discussion on the issue under any other rule will be unacceptable," he had said.