DHAKA: US President Barack Obama has vowed not to allow Republicans to undermine his signature healthcare legislation as a condition to restart the US government.

The government has partially shut down after the two houses of Congress failed to agree to a new budget, with Republicans insisting on the repeal or delay of Mr Obama`s health law.

"They demanded ransom," Mr Obama said.

More than 700,000 federal employees face unpaid leave, and national parks, museums and many buildings are closed.

On Tuesday, Mr Obama blamed conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives for the shutdown, saying "one faction of one party" was responsible because "they didn`t like one law".

"They`ve shut down the government over an ideological crusade to deny affordable health insurance to millions of Americans," Mr Obama said at the White House.

He insisted Congress "pass a budget, end the government shutdown, pay your bills, prevent an economic shutdown".

Source: BBC
BDST: 0937 HRS, OCT 02, 2013
AKA/RK