Modi hopes for smooth sailing in winter session

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hoped that all members will cooperate in the smooth running of parliament's winter session through debate and discussion.

At the start of the winter session on Thursday, Modi reached out to the opposition. The session is likely to see his government fend charges of growing intolerance while pushing for the passage of key bills.

The session will end on December 23.

Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has said his party is willing to cooperate with the government, provided it gives his party the confidence that it would take everybody on board.

Kharge said: "Since beginning we have said we are ready to cooperate with government... but they must give us the confidence that they are taking everybody on board. It is their responsibility to ensure smooth functioning of the house."

Several economic reform bills are on the government's agenda, the bill to implement Goods and Services Tax (GST) being a priority.

Modi told reporters outside parliament: "I am hopeful that the ideas, discussions and thinking will create new innovative ideas to make the nation better."

"Debate and discussion is the soul of parliament," he said.

He said he was "confident that we all members of parliament will leave no stone unturned to meet the people's expectations".

"I spoke to all opposition party leaders yesterday (Wednesday). It was a good discussion in a good atmosphere. All were of the view that parliament should be run in the best possible way," he said.

The prime minister said there is "no bigger stage for dialogue than parliament".

Ahead of the two-day long special sitting of parliament to discuss commitment to the constitution as part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Modi called the constitution a ray of hope.

"Our constitution is a ray of hope, a guide, that illuminates our path. When I say hope, I mean H for harmony, O for opportunity, P for people's participation and E for equality," he said.