New Delhi, Dec 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should step down and assume moral responsibility for the government's defeat in parliament on the Lokpal bill, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Nitin Gadkari said Friday.

Calling it "unfortunate" and an "insult to parliament", the BJP president accused the government of running away from voting on the Lokpal bill in the Rajya Sabha.

"The government was defeated in the Lok Sabha on the constitutional amendment bill and they ran away from voting in the Rajya Sabha. UPA (United Progressive Alliance) was defeated in both the houses and has no right to retain power. The prime minister should tender his resignation, taking moral responsibility," he said.

According to Gadkari, the government was not ready to pass the Lokpal bill and had planned it in a way to avoid voting on the bill. "It is unfortunate that everything happened in front of the prime minister and the government has made fun of parliament."

He said the BJP's core committee would meet at 5 p.m. Friday to discuss the party's future strategy. "We will hold a country-wide protest against the UPA government and will press for a strong Lokpal bill."