New Delhi, Nov 07: Concerned over frequent disruptions of Parliament proceedings, Speaker Manohar Joshi today initiated an exercise of meeting leaders of various political parties and groups to seek their cooperation in the smooth conduct of the house. He began with meeting leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sonia Gandhi, who was accompanied by deputy leader of Congress Shivraj Patil.
During the half-an-hour meeting, the Speaker sought the party's cooperation so that maximum business could be conducted during the winter session of Parliament beginning on November 18, Lok Sabha sources said. Gandhi assured him of her party's cooperation.
Joshi is also understood to have said that he would not succumb to pressure tactics by political parties to adjourn the House during periods of turmoil.
The frequently disrupted monsoon session of Parliament was adjourned three days ahead of schedule because of continuous stalling of proceedings over the petrol pump allotment issue. Bureau Report