Rahul Gandhi [Images] on Thursday led the Congress party's sit-in protest in Parliament against the frequent adjournments caused by the opposition.

The opposition has not allowed Parliament to function last couple of days in protest against the developments in Jharkhand and Goa [Images].

Column: The marauders of democracy

Among those who joined Gandhi in the protest were -- Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ajay Maken, Navin Jindal and Sachin Pilot.

Rahul agreed, however, that the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal-United MPs were justified in their protests against Shibu Soren's appointment as Jharkhand chief minister.

"They have a right to protest but not at the cost of the wasting people's money. The country has lost Rs 50 crore because of the disruptions," he said.

Also see: Opposition stalls Parliament again

Gandhi said the BJP should not disrupt the Houses, as there are many important Bills that need to be passed.

Speaking to rediff.com, Sachin Pilot said that the protest was not premeditated. "This morning Rahulji suddenly decided that we should protest against the stalling of the Houses. So we decided to sit on a dharna," he added.

BJP's parliamentary party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra, however, condemned the protest. "They don't have the right to raise the issue because when they were in the opposition they too stalled the House over 200 times," he said.

Also see: Kalam summons Jharkhand governor

"Let them return that money to parliamentary coffers. They have murdered democracy and are now teaching us how to protest," he said.

With inputs from PTI

Photograph: Ranjan Basu/ Saab Press

Earlier reports:
Opposition stalls Parliament again over Jharkhand
BJP bandh hits schools, colleges in Jharkhand
Kalam summons Jharkhand governor