Our Correspondent /
Vice President and the Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohd. Hamid Ansari has appealed all political parities to allow smooth functioning of parliament, saying that the need of the hour is to assure the public that Parliamentary democracy does work and is sensitive to the needs of the people.
Mr. Ansari expressed his views during the meeting of the leaders of all political parties in the Rajya Sabha ahead of the Budget session of Parliament beginning Tuesday. Finance Minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley apprised the leaders of government’s willingness to hold discussion on all issues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who also attended the meeting hailed it as constructive. He expressed hope that the session will work.
Later talking to reporters, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the opposition demanded to have a discussion on JNU row to which the government replied that it is ready to discuss the matter.
In reply to a question about Goods and Services Tax,GST Bill, Mr Naqvi said, opposition leaders are in favour of passage of the key bills including GST, Bankruptcy and Real Estate after discussion.
The Congress said it will extend its support in passing of the key bills in the House which are in the interest of the nation.
Talking to reporters, leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said that there are several issues including JNU row, price rise and farmer’s problem on which opposition wants discussion.
Leaders from CPI, NCP and JD(U) also demanded discussion on JNU row terming it a serious issue.
The meeting convened to discuss modalities for the smooth functioning of the House during the ensuing Budget Session was also attended by Deputy Chairman Prof.P J Kurien and the leaders of TMC,CPI(M), RJD and Akali Dal.
The meeting ended with a general sense of agreement that the House should legislate and deliberate on all issues. All leaders present shared the same feeling.The Prime Minister held that it has been a good meeting and hoped that the session will work.