Don't push for contentious bills: Oppn to govt at all-party meet

With the government set to push for the passage of the contentious citizenship and triple talaq bills in Parliament's budget session, the Opposition Thursday made it clear that it will not allow so and asked the ruling dispensation to take up only "non-controversial" legislations.

In an all-party meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi put to rest speculation about the likelihood of the government presenting a full budget, saying only an interim budget will be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters.

In a separate discussion with key members of the ruling BJP and its allies, Modi asked them to present the government's achievements and views emphatically in and outside Parliament, a leader, who attended the meeting, said.

Apparently referring to opposition parties, Modi said lies were being spread outside against the government and they should be exposed, the leader added.

An official statement quoting the prime minister's remarks at the all-party meeting said, "The government's focus is on issues of national importance and finding solutions to problems of the people. The country expects from all of us to perform our duties as parliamentarians in a positive manner and we must deliver to people's expectations."