Congress, TMC losing credibility, getting isolated among opposition parties: Ananth Kumar

NEW DELHI: Union minister Ananth Kumar today attacked TMC and Congress for disrupting Parliament proceedings over demonetisation and claimed that they were losing credibility and getting isolated among opposition parties due to their "negative" approach.

"For the past 13 days, Congress and other opposition parties are not letting Parliament function. BJD and TRS, which are not part of the NDA, are ready for a discussion.

"Today, the Speaker accepted the demand of BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab and TRS MP A P Jithender Reddy for a short-time discussion, but Congress and TMC members did not allow them to speak and the House to function," he said.

"Because of this negative approach of Congress and TMC, they are losing their credibility and getting isolated among opposition parties," Kumar said.

Kumar stressed "this is the final effort by the government to start a discussion on demonetisation. If Congress and other opposition parties want to take part, they are welcomed."

He said it was strange that Congress and a few rival parties were not ready to discuss the economic reforms which matter to 125 crore people. This should be the top most priority but they are "blindfolded".

"Whims and fancies of individuals cannot dictate the terms for public policy and public discourse," he said without naming anyone.