The National Democratic Alliance on Tuesday decided to boycott Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings for three days to register a protest against the manner in which the United Progressive Alliance is conducting Parliament.
Bharatiya Janata Party president Lal Kishenchand Advani and NDA convenor George Fernandes made a formal announcement in this regard.
The decision was taken at a meeting under the chairmanship of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence.
Former external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha told rediff.com that a decision was reached at the end of a one-and-a-half hour meeting.
He said, during the meeting, leaders expressed concern that the government was not even willing to have a dialogue with the Opposition on the latter's demand for Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav's resignation from the government after charge sheets were filed against him in a fodder scam case.
Vajpayee had earlier demanded that Lalu should own moral responsibility for the Sabarmati accident and resign.
Addressing the press, Advani said, "The NDA will hold another meeting at Parliament House and decide the future course of action."
NDA leaders will address a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday.
BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra clarified that the NDA members will not enter Parliament, not sign the register and not attend any committee meeting.
Advani said Lalu will no more be allowed to continue as minister.
"Despite three court judgements having gone against him, Lalu continues as a minister. If he is not removed, the NDA will redraw its strategy on this issue," he said.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee asked the NDA to reconsider its decision.
He said the decision is "very unfortunate". Chatterjee said the Opposition had been given all possible opportunities subject to the rules of the House and would continue to get the same.
WITH PTI INPUTS