Keen to see that the budget session of Parliament commences on a smooth note, Congress today gave indications that it might not be averse to a JPC to probe the 2G scam if the opposition is ready for a prior debate and agree to modalities for such an inquiry.

"Democratic institutions must be allowed to function...What modus operandi ...it is for the Government and the opposition to work it out", party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters.

After the Congress top brass including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party chief Sonia Gandhi deliberated on the matter at the core group, Tewari said that Congress has been consistently demanding a debate in Parliament on the issue.

"Opposition should not run away from a debate. The demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe should not become a subterfuge to run away from debate.