NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took at a dig at the Congress disrupting Parliament and said that "democracy cannot function at the whims and fancies of anyone".

"It is a matter of sorrow that Parliament is not running," PM Modi said at an event in Delhi.

Without any reference to the Congress , which has held protests in both Houses of Parliament over the National Herald case, Modi said democracy cannot be restricted to elections and governments alone and that one of the two main dangers before it is "Mantantra" (functioning as per one's whims and fancies) and the other is "Dhantantra" (money power).

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 goods and services tax bill but many pro-poor steps are stuck in Parliament."

"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.

The National Herald issue had cast its shadow over Parliament for the last couple of days with Congress members continuously creating uproar in both Houses and blocking the passage of bills.

"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.

"Due to Parliament not running this time a particular law is also stuck up, which we have brought to enhance the bonus amount of the poor in jobs from Rs 3,500 to Rs 7,000. This also seeks to increase the salary ceiling for giving bonuses from the existing Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000. Is this not directly a work for the poor?", he said.

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Modi said the government is requesting that Parliament be allowed to function.

"There cannot be a bigger forum than Parliament for discussion, debate and communication. But if we will negate the institution itself, then there will be question marks on democracy itself. We have to keep in mind the dignity of democracy and enact laws for the benefits of the common man and the country. We have to lay emphasis on it, strengthen it," the Prime Minister said.

Drawing an analogy with the musical instrument Sitar, he said all its strings need to be tightened to strike the right note as if even one is loose, the right music will not come out.

"If one has influence, one has to convince people of one's views and carry them with him. We cannot run the country like this. In democracy, you have to connect, you have to assimilate. If you have to dilute (your stand), dilute it," he added.

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(With inputs from agencies)