File photo of Congress laeder Adhir Ranjan Choudhary (ANI)

NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday slammed the Modi government for riots in Delhi and attempting to “run away” from a debate on the communal conflagration that claimed 47 lives. Outside Parliament, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the opposition disrupted Lok Sabha proceedings only to assert that riots in Delhi must be given top priority. “The government says we leave it to the Speaker, the Speaker says debate will happen after things will be normal. Now coming under pressure, they are saying it will be discussed after Holi. They are running away from debate,” Chowdhury said.

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad , accompanied by parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi , told the media that the government was ready for a discussion on the issue on March 11, after the Holi break. “The reason is that Delhi is getting back to normal and any discussion on the issue in Parliament now can provoke sentiments... after Holi, the House can discuss the issue when things get back to normal,” he said.

