Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted his Government is open to discuss all matters in Parliament’s Budget Session beginning on Friday after the Opposition parties raised concerns over “worsening” economic situation and accused his dispensation of “arrogance” and not reaching out to the anti-CAA protesters.

While the Opposition members raised a host of issues including the nationwide protests against the CAA, “worsening” economic situation and “rising” unemployment at the all-party meeting ahead of the Budget Session, the Prime Minister called for a “greater focus” on economic issues in the session. Political sources said the Opposition leaders also demanded the release of detained political figures in Jammu and Kashmir.

Taking to media after the meeting, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that opposition parties sought immediate release of former state chief minister Farooq Abdullah so that he could attend the session from Friday.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters after the meeting, attended by 26 parties, that the prime minister conveyed to the leaders that parties should not confine themselves to  mere “charcha” (debate) but should have rich and structured discussion on every issue.

In his concluding remarks, Modi welcomed the suggestions of most members that the session should focus on the prevailing economic situation in the country, an official statement later said.

“Most of the members have asked for discussion on the economic situation concerning the country. I welcome this and we need to discuss the economic issues as suggested by you all. We should focus on how we can turn the global scenario in favour of India and how India can gain in the prevailing global situation,” said Joshi.

“In this budget session and in the beginning of the new year, if we can give a proper direction to the country’s economy, it would be in the best interest of the country,” he said, according to the statement. The budget session will conclude on April 3 with a recess in between. The budget will be presented on Saturday.

Referring to various other issues raised by opposition parties, Modi said there should be an open discussion on all. He asked the leaders at the meeting to see to it that they contribute to increasing the productivity of the session and Parliament.

“This is about the productivity of the session and the Parliament. In the last two sessions, we saw the increased productivity and the great public response in favour of it. As people’s representatives, it is our responsibility to increase the productivity of the House, while we discuss all issues with an open mind,” he said.

Asked about the opposition’s charge that the government is being arrogant in not reaching out to anti-CAA protestors, Joshi noted that the bill was passed by Parliament following a long discussion and asked rival parties to introspect their role in these protests.

The BJP has accused the Congress and other opposition parties of inciting protests and violence against the law which, the ruling party has asserted, does not affect the citizenship of any Indian. In his remarks, Azad said Parliament’s sessions have been shortened gradually by the Government.