Budget Session today: Centre ready to discuss all issues

New Delhi : The Opposition on Thursday raised the issue of anti-CAA protests at an all-party meeting and accused the government of "arrogance" in not reaching out to protestors, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted his dispensation is open to discuss all matters in Parliament's budget session beginning from Friday.

Modi also called for a "greater focus" on economic issues in the session and how India can gain in the prevailing global situation, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters after the meeting, attended by 26 parties.

They raised a host of issues including the nationwide protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, "worsening" economic situation and "rising" unemployment. They also demanded the release of detained political figures in Jammu and Kashmir.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters that opposition parties sought immediate release of former state chief minister Farooq Abdullah so that he could attend the session from Friday.

Anand Sharma of the Congress added that the issue of some "incendiary" statements made by BJP leaders during the Delhi poll campaign was also raised and Modi was asked to intervene in the matter.

The Election Commission on Thursday barred Union minister Anurag Thakur and BJP MP Parvesh Verma from campaigning for three and four days respectively for their objectionable remarks.

Joshi said the prime minister told the leaders that parties should not confine themselves to mere "charcha" (debate) but should have rich and structured discussion on every issue.

In his concluding remarks, Modi welcomed the suggestions of most members that the session should focus on the prevailing economic situation in the country, an official statement later said.

"Most of the members have asked for discussion on the economic situation concerning the country. I welcome this and we need to discuss the economic issues as suggested by you all. We should focus on how we can turn the global scenario in favour of India," he said.

"In this budget session and in the beginning of the new year, if we can give a proper direction to the country's economy, it would be in the best interest of the country," he said, according to the statement.

Referring to various other issues raised by opposition parties, Modi said there should be an open discussion on all. He asked the leaders at the meeting to see to it that they contribute to increasing the productivity of the session and Parliament.

"This is about the productivity of the session and the Parliament. In the last two sessions, we saw the increased productivity and the great public response in favour of it.

As people's representatives, it is our responsibility to increase the productivity of the House, while we discuss all issues with an open mind," he said.