'Let him say what he wants to say': Sonia Gandhi responds to PM Modi's democracy remark

A day after Narendra Modi asserted that democracy cannot function at the 'whims and fancies' of anyone, in a veiled dig at continuing protests by the Congress in parliament, party chief Sonia has responded to Prime Minister's criticism.

The Congress chief said, "let him say what he wants to say," reported ANI.

Modi had on Thursday said,"You must have seen that these days this(disruptions) is being seen more. Meri Marji (I will do what I desire). I will do whatever comes to my mind. Does the country run like this? Democracy does not function with ' Mantantra '. The country does not run on its basis. Whatever you may think but the system does not run like this," Modi said.

Modi also said the poor are not being able to get their rights as legislations to benefit them are stuck due to disruptions in Parliament. "It is not only GST(bill) but many pro-poor steps are stuck in Parliament."

"It is a matter of sorrow that the poor are not being able to get their rights due to Parliament not functioning. However the talk is only centred on GST versus Parliament. Whatever has to happen with the GST, it will be done in consultation with everybody to decide the fate of India but what about the poor, what about the common man," he said addressing the Jagran Forum of Dainik Jagran here.

Setting aside their bitterness within and outside Parliament, both PM Modi and Sonia Gandhi spoke at the function to felicitate NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, who turned 75. Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also shook hands at the function.