Mukherjee convenes meeting of political parties on Feb 8

New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) Finance Minister and Leader ofthe House in Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee has convened a meetingof leaders of political parties in an apparent bid to breakthe deadlock in Parliament.

The meeting has been convened over lunch for "mutualconsultations" over the budget session of Parliament, sourcessaid.

With the winter session of Parliament washed out overthe Opposition demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committeeprobe into the 2G spectrum scam, the Government apparentlywants to sort out issues to ensure smooth functioning ofParliament in the budget session beginning February 21.

President Pratibha Patil had in her Republic Dayaddress on Tuesday made it clear that it was a jointresponsibility of all stakeholders to ensure smoothfunctioning of Parliament.

However, both the opposition and government are firmin their demands for and against a JPC probe.