Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked the Congress party to take a New Year’s resolution to allow Parliament to function for the sake of development. Addressing a public rally after laying the foundation stone of a 14-lane expressway connecting Delhi with Meerut, Modi said it was India’s misfortune that “those who have been rejected by people” have seized the Parliament’s functioning.

Modi’s attack came more than a week after the Winter session of Parliament ended. The Congress-led Opposition had disrupted proceedings in both houses over issues such as the National Herald case. Key government legislations including the Goods & Service Tax Bill were held up due to the logjam. The Congress later on Thursday hit back at the prime minister, with spokesperson Randeep Surjewala saying that dismissiveness and disregard for people's issues has become a hallmark of Modi's government.

At the rally, Modi also confirmed the Centre’s decision to abolish the interview process for class III and class IV government employees, saying that new appointments will only be made on the basis of merit. He said the measure was an attempt to provide an opportunity to the poor and eliminate the possibility of corruption.