Opposition running away from debate on Manipur: BJP

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

BJP has alleged that the Opposition was running away from a discussion on the Manipur issue even as the logjam in Parliament continued with the opposition insisting on a discussion under Rule 267 in which the PM may have to make a statement. «The Opposition doesn't want this discussion to take place. There must be some reason why they are running away from a discussion,» Piyush Goyal, leader of the house in the Rajya Sabha, told media persons in Parliament.

BJP has maintained that the issue is under the domain of the home minister and is not in agreement with the Opposition's demand for the PM to make a statement. Sources suggested that the PM may respond to the points on Manipur raised by the Opposition while speaking on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha which may be taken up during this week. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, commenting on the Opposition's attitude, told media persons: «Today, when this issue was taken up in Parliament, the Opposition ran away from the discussion.

We are saddened by the behaviour of the Opposition. Manipur is just a political issue for them. Today, it was proved that they were just shedding crocodile tears on the Manipur issue.

If they genuinely cared, then they would have discussed it.» Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan called the Opposition's protest a well thought-out strategy to hide the truth from people. «Opposition parties sometimes disrupt the proceedings of the Lok Sabha and sometimes the Rajya Sabha by creating ruckus in a well-thought-out common strategy to prevent the truth from coming out. If there is, the mask of their lies will be unmasked.