Modi meets council of ministers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a meeting with members of his council of ministers.

Sources said it was a normal get-together at the end of the year.

The meeting was held amid tensions between the government and the Congress on a range of issues, including actions of Arunachal Pradesh Governor J.P. Rajkhowa on the functioning of the state assembly.

The winter session of parliament has seen daily adjournments forced by the Congress and other opposition parties on issues such as alleged atrocities against Dalits and CBI searches in the office of the principal secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The government had a heavy legislative agenda for the winter session including the Goods and Services Tax bill.

There is a feeling in the government that the session, which ends on December 23, could be a washout.

The monsoon session of parliament had also been a washout over the Congress demand for resignation of three BJP leaders.

BJP leaders have accused the Congress of not respecting the verdict of the people and holding the country's development hostage to its political interests.