Speaker calls meeting of leaders on the eve of Budget Session

New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) In a move aimed at ensuring asmooth running of Parliament, a meeting of leaders of allpolitical parties has been convened by Lok Sabha Speaker MeiraKumar on February 20 on the eve of the Budget Session.

The meeting assumes significance as the entire WinterSession had been a washout following the government-oppositiondeadlock over the issue of JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scamwhich threatens to mar the Budget Session too.

Only two days back, Kumar, currently away in Colombo,had struck an optimistic note on the resolution of thedeadlock.

"I am very optimistic. There comes a time in the lifeof Parliament when things seem turbulent, but our abidingfaith in Parliamentary system and democracy always helps us toovercome," she had said.

The "very positive and very cordial" meetings that shehad with the BJP and Congress leadership was the basis forKumar''s optimism. Kumar said that she was "determined" tohave a session and her role was that of a facilitator.

A meeting of the Chief Whips of various politicalparties has been convened by Parliamentary Affairs MinisterPawan Kumar Bansal tomorrow.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has alreay held ameeting with leaders of all political parties following whichthere were signals that the Government may not be averse to aJPC if there was a prior debate and the opposition agreed tothe modalities.