Democracy cannot survive without opposition: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Dec 6 (PTI) Opposition is a key component of democracy without which it cannot survive, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today.

“In a healthy democracy, where there is a role and relevance of the government, there is also an important role for the opposition. Opposition is important for a healthy democracy. Democracy cannot survive without opposition,” Singh said at an event to mark the death anniversary of B R Ambedkar which was also attended by leader of the Congress inĀ  Mallikarjun Kharge.

With opposition support crucial for the passage of key reform measures like GST apparently weighing on his mind, Singh complimented Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya on inviting Kharge. Singh said invitation to the Congress leader, also a former labour minister, was in accordance with the principles laid down by the architect of Indian Constitution B R Ambedkar.

According to Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, GST Bill and the Real Estate Bill are on the list of Government Business in the Rajya Sabha during the week commencing tomorrow.

The government and the opposition, particularly Congress, are engaged in a cat and mouse game over Goods and Services Tax Bill for quite some time.