New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday condemned the Congress party for adopting obstructionism both as a strategy and an ideology following the party`s march against the Land Acquisition Bill.
"It is a continuation of Congress`s politics of obstructionism. Congress has adopted obstructionism both as a strategy and now almost as an ideology. Amendment to land bill is entirely in favor of rural India, it seeks to provide housing to poor and to create infrastructure," Jaitley told ANI here.
"There is no reason why any political party with any commitment to development must oppose this bill. It is a negative politics of obstructionism which is intended to keep India backwards. If Congress has serious objections, the ordinance gives discretion to state governments to continue under the old law," he added.
Earlier in the day, the opposition started its march from the Parliament to the President`s House to protest against the Land Acquisition Bill.
Prominent leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Ambika Soni, Rajeev Shukla, Kamal Nath and Ahmed Patel participated in the march.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi said the opposition parties had got together to appeal to President Pranab Mukherjee to intervene in the matter to protect the interest of farmers.
Delhi Police Commissioner B.S Bassi had earlier today said that the protest march has not been prohibited, adding that only demonstrations have been prohibited.
Bassi`s statement came after reports stated that the Congress had been denied permission to carry out its march.
Along with the Congress, leaders of the Janata Dal (United), Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI (M), DMK, INLD as well as other parties also participated in the protest.
