Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to chair an
all-party meeting on Saturday through video conferencing ahead of the Budget
Session for smooth functioning of Parliament.
Leaders of all parties have been invited to attend the meeting that is
scheduled to be held in the backdrop of the ongoing farmers' agitation against
the agricultural legislations passed in September and have kept the government
and opposition at loggerheads.
The government has not shown any inclination towards repealing the farm laws
which is the prime demand of the protesting farmers.
On Friday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla presided over a meeting of the floor
leaders.
After the meeting, Birla said he has requested leaders of all parties in Lok
Sabha to respect the dignity of the House, and sought their cooperation for the
smooth conduct of the proceedings.
A total of 18 Opposition parties boycotted the Presidential address on Friday
on the commencement of the Budget Session of Parliament the first of the new
decade.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been repeating that the government should find
solutions regarding the farmers' agitation.
Along with the Congress, 17 opposition parties had announced boycott of
Kovind's address to express solidarity with farmers, who have been protesting
since November 26 in Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders along Delhi, and other
places to press for their demands.