Speaker to hold all-party meeting Saturday

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will hold an all-party meeting Saturday on the eve of the winter session of parliament to ensure a smooth run.

The winter session of parliament is scheduled to be held Nov 24-Dec 23.

Mahajan has called leaders of various parties for discussions over dinner.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has said the government will go the extra mile to accommodate opposition on different issues.

The Congress party has been unhappy over the denial of leader of the opposition status in the Lok Sabha as it has only 44 members, which is less than the required one-tenth of strength of the house.

The session is being held at a time when leaders of various political parties belonging to the 'Janata Parivar' are talking about joint floor management strategy and also for exploring the possibility of a joint front against a resurgent BJP.

The BJP-led NDA does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha and will have to depend upon the cooperation of the opposition to get key bills passed.