PM Modi praises SP chief’s efforts to end House logjam

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi “expressed his gratitude” to Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and other Opposition parties’ leaders for working to end the Parliament logjam, the SP’s Dharmendra Yadav on Tuesday blamed both the government and the Congress for the stalemate. The Badaun MP also rubbished allegations that the SP supremo was under any political pressure after he was seen breaking ranks with the Congress and favouring discussion in House.

While addressing the last parliamentary party meeting of the BJP, Mr Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress, though without directly naming it, for “misusing” Parliament to stop the country’s growth. He also hailed leaders of political parties, including the SP supremo, for “understanding this conspiracy” and working to end the logjam which Parliament is witnessing since the day it convened for the Monsoon Session.

On Monday, the SP supremo had warned the Congress, saying his party will not support it if it keeps protesting over Vyapam and Lalitgate issues.

Earlier, MoS (parliamentary affairs) Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the PM expressed his gratitude to those, “especially Mulayam Singh Yadavji, and all those parties who have felt that this is a conspiracy to stop the country’s progress. He hailed them and asked the party and members to do so as well.”

Mr Modi also asked BJP MPs to highlight and promote the government’s social welfare schemes among people. He also reiterated that party leaders should not be affected by adverse media reports and should not wait for invitations or occasions to go to people.

The Congress, meanwhile, claimed that Mr Modi’s praise of the SP supremo might be “short-lived” as the SP “fully joined (it) in every stand that we had taken in the Upper House (on Tuesday)”.