PMO has become a bargaining counter: BJP

NEW DELHI: Reacting to reports of horse-trading of MPs ahead of the July 22 floor test in the Lok Sabha, the NDA on Thursday said it was "extremely unfortunate" that the "PMO has become a bargaining counter".

"We regret that the office of the Prime Minister and the continuation of this government is being reduced to a bargaining counter," BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters after the meeting of chief ministers of NDA-ruled states here.

"It is extremely unfortunate if these things (horse-trading) are happening. The effort of the NDA clearly is to focus on the issues (price rise, nuclear deal)," he said.

Jaitley said this would affect the stature of the Prime Minister's Office.

"It is natural that it (the PM Office) will be affected. But I don't find it necessary to comment on this. (I hope) these elections are held early...this will become clear in that," Jaitley said.