Meira meets BJP, govt leaders; optimistic on Budget session

Kumar met Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, BJP veteran L K Advani, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal and his deputy V Narayansamy in yet another attempt to end the deadlock which she said was a "cause of concern".

"Both sides are very keen that the next session (of Parliament) should run in order ... I am very, very optimistic on how the events will unfold," she told reporters here.

Leaders of non-BJP parties are meeting the Speaker tomorrow to discuss ways to break the Parliament deadlock.

Almist the entire winter session of Parliament was washed out without transacting any significant business as the opposition-government standoff on the issue of JPC probe into the spectrum allocation forced repeated adjournments of both the Houses.

After the nearly two-hour meeting, the Speaker said she was optimistic that despite their differing views, the opposition and the ruling coalition would be able to find a common ground.

"I am fully convinced that our democracy is very mature. There might be some ups and downs but whether they are leaders of the ruling party or the ruling coalition or leaders of the oppsition they all are very committed to ensuring that Parliament runs," she said.

"With this kind of committment and this kind of attitude, I am sure with their differing views they will be able to find a common ground and I am very optimistic that something positive will emerge," Kumar said.

The Speaker noted that Parliament was not able to function during the winter session barring the first day. "It is a cause of concern for all of us and all this while I was worried," she said.