It takes time to adjust after losing power: RD Minister to Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Rural Development Minister Birender Singh today took potshots at Sonia Gandhi over her "murder of democracy" remarks against Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan saying it takes some time for a person to adjust after losing power.

"It is unfortunate but it happens. A person, who goes out of power after remaining with it for long time faces problems in adjustment. So far, only 14 months have passed. It takes some time to adjust," Singh told reporters here, when asked about Gandhi's remarks that Mahajan's decision to suspend 25 of her party MPs was "murder of democracy".

He also took a dig at Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi over his remarks that on the land issue that the NDA government shouted, threatened and later ran off.

"Those who stand at 44, will speak only this language," Singh said.

Congress was reduced to a never before 44 seats in Lok Sabha in the last general elections, which it fought under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.

Agitating in Parliament House complex today in protest against suspension of its 25 members from Lok Sabha, Rahul today said, "on the land issue, Congress stood in front of them. They (govt) shouted, threatened and later ran off.

"Similarly, on the issue of corruption, Vyapam, on the issue of Rajasthan Chief Minister and Sushma Swaraj, we will not minimise the pressure on them even if they throw us out of Parliament or do not let us enter Parliament."

Denouncing Mahajan over the suspension of Congress MPs, Sonia Gandhi said, "it is government's duty to run Parliament. Suspension of our MPs is anti-democratic. Democracy is being murdered."