'Great Expectations,' Says PM Modi as He Reaches Out to Opposition

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sought the support of all political parties to run Parliament ahead of the winter session, and, in a first of sorts, informed them that he has deputed environment minister Prakash Javadekar to brief them on the stand India will take at the crucial Paris climate summit that the PM attends next week.

"There are great expectations from Parliament... Let's make it function," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who dropped by at the meeting called by parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu and attended by both opposition parties and the ruling BJP's allies at the Centre.

The PM's offer to keep the opposition briefed on the Paris summit is seen as an attempt by the government to be more inclusive and take all parties on board. It comes amid its fresh bid to build a consensus to pass in the winter session, bills that give effect to crucial economic reforms like the Goods and Services Tax or GST.

The government is in a minority in the Rajya Sabha or upper house and needs the opposition's help to pass the constitutional amendment by a two-thirds majority in this session so that it can meet a deadline of April 2016 for implementation.

The GST bill has been blocked chiefly by the Congress, which wants changes made to it. But the bill's fate will hang on other factors too.

Parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal United, along with the Congress, want a debate and resolution on what they call "rising intolerance" first.

"The government is ready to listen to the Opposition's demands on various issues. We have sought support on GST. There is demand for a government resolution on intolerance. The government doesn't agree with this perception but will do what can be done under parliament norms," said Mr Naidu.

The Congress plans a two-day discussion on the Indian Constitution and the role played in its creation by Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. PM Modi is expected to intervene or reply at the end of the debate and that may set the tone for the entire session.

To ensure peace, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan met floor leaders of all parties later in the evening.