Opposition wants discussion on JNU in Rajya Sabha, government agrees

New Delhi, Feb 20: The Opposition has demanded a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the situation in universities across the country, including JNU, and the government has agreed to it.

"All parties agreed that the house should work smoothly and important legislations should be passed and the government has agreed that the discussion opposition parties have demanded, whether it is the JNU issue or the farmers' issue, we will take it up," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told IANS.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the hope that the house would function smoothly.

The meeting was called by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, who discussed with leaders of various parties the modalities of the functioning of the upper house ahead of the budget session that starts on Tuesday.

The Rajya Sabha chairman called upon the parties to ensure that the house functions smoothly.

"Time has come to assure the public that parliamentary democracy does work and is sensitive to the needs of the people," Ansari said.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha P.J. Kurien, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and leaders from different political parties including Trinamool Congress, JD-U, CPI, CPI-M, RJD, SAD and NCP.

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley assured that the government was open to discussion on all issues.

He said the first part of the budget session should be devoted towards passing urgent bills besides the budget.

Azad, meanwhile, demanded a discussion on the prevailing situation in universities including JNU and the University of Hyderabad.

"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," an official statement said.

IANS