The Hindu : Front Page : Parties have promised smooth session: Somnath

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Wednesday, Nov 24, 2004

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Front Page

Parties have promised smooth session: Somnath

By Javed M. Ansari

NEW DELHI, NOV. 23. Political parties from across the spectrum today promised to put the past behind them and work together to ensure that the winter session of Parliament, starting on December 1, is a smooth affair. The promise was made at an all-party meeting convened by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, and the Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, this afternoon.

Emerging from the meeting, a visibly-relaxed Mr. Chatterjee told the media that based on what the leaders agreed at the meeting, he was reasonably confident that the winter session would be smooth and all business completed. "I have been greatly encouraged by the promise made by all the senior leaders to cooperate and ensure that both Houses function in a normal manner," he said.

During the two-hour meeting, several objections were raised about the short duration of the session. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, L.K. Advani, is reported to have referred to a resolution passed at a conference of parliamentarians stressing on the need for Parliament to meet for at least 110 days a year.

The AIADMK Parliamentary Party leader, P.G. Narayanan, requested the presiding officers to ensure that all political parties got a chance to raise issues concerning the people.

Mr. Chatterjee concurred with the view that the session ought to have been for longer duration. He said that he had little say in the matter as such issues were usually decided by the government.

Government's defence

The Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha, Pranab Mukherjee, said that what really mattered was the amount of work that was transacted.

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