Congress working under outside pressure in parliament: Venkaiah Naidu

Hyderabad, Dec 6: Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu Saturday alleged that the Congress party is working under outside pressure in parliament and termed its attitude "irresponsible" and "immature" to protest against his colleague Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti's controversial remarks. He told reporters here that some Congress leaders from outside were pressurising the party MPs as they stalled the parliament after smooth proceedings on the first day when the issue was discussed and closed. "What is the external force influencing the speaker, ask the Congress party," Naidu quipped when asked to elaborate on what he means by external pressure. "By outside, I don't mean America, China or Italy," the minister hastened to add. Naidu took strong objection and condemned the Congress's allegation that the speaker is working under pressure. "They are insulting the institution and defying the constitution. It is an assault on the constitution and the parliamentary system," he said.