New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on August 19 attacked the Opposition for bringing a no confidence motion against the government without any valid reason and took exception to the nine-point chargesheet levelled by leader of Opposition Sonia Gandhi accusing government of endangering national security and jeopardising defence.

"It is a peculiar thing that words like chargesheet are used by one party against another and ultimatum is being given. This is not a good thing," Vajpayee said intervening in the two-day debate on the no- confidence motion moved by Gandhi on August 18.

The Prime Minister said he has been in Parliament since 1957 but he had never seen such a no- confidence motion.

"A no-trust motion is brought when a government is on the verge of collapse or to keep it on its toes. But I wonder why such a motion has been moved now when there is no question of our government breaking nor do you intend to break it," he said in a spirited speech.

"How have we weakened national security? Doesn't the Opposition need to provide proof before making such charges?" Vajpayee asked.

Contending that there was always consensus on India's foreign policy, the Prime Minister said the Opposition was trying to divide the House on the issue into camps.

Vajpayee also took exception to Gandhi's assertion that his government had "betrayed" the mandate of the people.

"The trial of strength will be there in the Assembly elections," he said adding one should never lose sight of dignity and decorum as abuses will not solve problems.

Vajpayee said he was perplexed over the Opposition move to bring a no-confidence motion and felt it was a case of "sour grapes".

Coming down heavily on Gandhi for charging that Government had mortgaged the foreign policy, Vajpayee asked "to whom have we done so" and added "do you think India is so cheap that it can be mortgaged. Won't we feel ashamed?" he asked.

Underpinning the importance for the government and Opposition to work together on these issues, he said there could be difference of opinion but these could be discussed.

PTI