New Delhi, Aug 22: Hitting out at Congress, BJP today termed the Opposition boycott of defence minister George Fernandes in Parliament as "illogical" and "against parliamentary democracy" aimed at saving its "false prestige" after the defeat of the no-confidence motion. "The opposition having heard the defence minister during the debate now deciding to continue its boycott is only aimed at saving its false prestige at the cost of health of parliamentary democracy", BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu told a meeting of party MPs.

During the debate on no-trust move, Fernandes "smashed" all false allegations made against him and his ministry, Naidu said adding that the Opposition was not able to digest this defeat. The Congress stand to continue the boycott, despite the defeat of its no-trust move, was "not only illogical but also against parliamentary democracy", he said.

"If the Congress continues with the same (boycott), it will incur the wrath of the people", Naidu said.

He said the appointment of ministers and allocation of portfolios is the prerogative of the Prime Minister and the opposition has no role in this. The Opposition boycott of Fernandes, in the wake of the Tehelka expose, started after his re-induction into the Cabinet.

Bureau Report