India PM Modi meets parties ahead of parliament session

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-33592404

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The Indian prime minister has met leaders from all political parties ahead of the monsoon session of parliament, in a bid to resolve issues that threaten to disrupt the house.

Opposition parties are demanding resignations of three ruling BJP party leaders mired in a scandal if the house is to be allowed to function smoothly.

The government's controversial land bill is also facing fierce opposition.

The session begins on Tuesday and will conclude on 8 August.

At Monday morning's meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government was ready to discuss all issues and urged opposition parties to help pass the land bill.

"Parliament has a major significance and it should be utilised to discuss all issues. The government is ready to discuss all issues... We should move forward on land bill," he said.

Opposition leaders, however, called for the resignations of Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje for helping former IPL cricket chief Lalit Modi, who lives in London and is wanted by Indian authorities. They are also demanding the resignation of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over his alleged involvement in India's massive medical school admissions examination scandal.

Their demand was rejected by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu.

"There is no question of accepting an ultimatum from anybody; nobody can dictate to the parliament," Mr Naidu said.

Analysts say the session - which is also expected to debate key bills like the land acquisition bill and the national Goods and Sales Tax (GST) bill - is expected to be a washout unless the government and the opposition can resolve their differences.