Political parties fail to see merit in V K Singhs demand

Former army chief Gen (retd) V K Singhs demand to dissolve Parliament immediately and hold elections failed to find support even from opposition parties who said parliamentary processes need to be followed before such desires could be fulfilled

Former army chief Gen (retd) V K Singhs demand to dissolve Parliament immediately and hold elections failed to find support even from opposition parties who said parliamentary processes need to be followed before such desires could be fulfilled.

The BJP,which has been targeting the UPA over a range of issues,said the government was in a minority on the issue of FDI in multi-brand retail and would soon be exposed.

The government is in a minority on the issue of FDI in retail trade because its partner Trinamool Congress has deserted it while its other supporters such as the DMK and SP are also opposed to it, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said reacting to Gen Singhs remark.

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So,people feel that this government has lost its majority. If Parliament has to be dissolved,it has to be through due parliamentary procedures. I think parliamentary procedures will take their course on FDI in retail in the forthcoming session, he said.

The CPI(M) said the former army chiefs demand was among the many being made by the man on the street. CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat sought to differentiate between the UPAs isolation and the dissolution of Parliament without following due procedure.

They have the right to demand whatever they are demanding. It is a political demand. It is their point of view. Other people are also making such demands. Those who are opposed to the UPA are making various demands, Karat said.

But that does not mean that it will be implemented. We also feel the UPA government is increasingly getting politically isolated but that does not mean dissolution of Parliament will follow.

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The ruling Congress dismissed Singhs demand and said the government had a mandate until 2014 and people like Singh should wait for the democratic process to complete its course.

I do not see the logic of this statement. People have given us the mandate for five years and we respect the mandate of the people. It is the will of the people and we have the majority,if you think that you want to change Parliament,you will get the opportunity in 2014, Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit said.