Adopting a tough posture on the demand for JPC probe into the 2G spectrum issue, the Congress today said the opposition does not have the mandate to force the government to do what it wants.

"Government has the mandate to rule the country. Opposition has the right to express its views. They can raise people's issues and problems. But they do not have the mandate to force the government to do what they want. The people have not given the mandate to the opposition for it," Congress spokesperson Shakil Ahmed told reporters outside Parliament.

On the deadlock in Parliament over the JPC demand, he said, "Government's stand is the party's stand. We have tried to take opposition into confidence but unfortunately it did not happen."

The standoff in Parliament continued for the eighth day with opposition creating pandemonium in both Houses, leading to their adjournment.