Government mulling longer winter session: Kamal Nath

There were suggestions to extend the winter session of parliament and the government will take a decision after wider consultations, union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said Tuesday.

"There were suggestions from various members that there should be a break (Christmas) and the session should resume thereafter as it was too short. This was the demand of several members," Kamal Nath told reporters after an all-party meet.

The winter session is scheduled Dec 5-20.

Kamal Nath said suggestions have come from Lok Sabha members and the government will talk to members of the Rajya Sabha and also members from northeast and southern region to see what consensus emerges.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with other parties demanded extension of the winter session.

"There was unanimity that the session should be extended as political parties wanted to raise several issues and the session was short," Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj told reporters after the all-party meet.

She said the BJP wants the early passage of the Lokpal bill and immediate discussion on price rise.