Winter Session: PM Modi invites Sonia, Manmohan for 'tea'

In a move aimed at reaching out to the opposition to discuss the smooth functioning of the Parliament and bring an end to the impasse over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Congress president Sonia Gandhi and his predecessor Dr. Manmohan Singh for tea.

"Prime Minister Modi called Sonia Gandhi yesterday and conveyed to her that he hopes the Parliament runs smoothly. Dr. Manmohan was also invited and together they will discuss various issues and move ahead from there," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told the media here.

He further said that today's meeting is important as the nation wants smooth and effective running of the Parliament, and added that it is the opposition's duty as well to ensure the same.

"There are many issues like the GST Bill among other things that are waiting to be resolved and we hope that all these topics will be discussed today in the meeting so that we can proceed ahead together," Naidu said.

Earlier, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that said Prime Minister Modi was ready to speak to everyone to forge a consensus on the GST Bill.

"Let me clarify we have absolutely no hesitation even at the level of the prime minister. We never had it in the past. We don't have it. He is willing to speak to everyone," Rajnath told a news channel yesterday.

Prime Minister Modi will intervene and conclude the debate in the Parliament on the Constitution, on the second day of the Winter Session today.