The Government on Tuesday said it may summon the second part of the Monsoon Session to pass key legislations, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill, which could not be passed due to the opposition from the Congress party.
The Monsoon Session (which is yet to be prorogued) witnessed a complete washout.
Maintaining it has an "open mind" on amendments to reform measures, the Government has been continuing with its dialogue and political consultations with leaders of Opposition parties including the Congress.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venakiah Naidu met leader of Congress in lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge Tuesday and appealed to all political parties to cooperate in smooth functioning of Parliament in the "larger national interest".
The Minister maintained that he has already consulted leaders of a number of parties on the issue, and also expressed willingness to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi, if required to ensure a smooth running of Parliament.
The Government is particularly keen to have the passage of the GST bill in the Rajya Sabha where it is in minority, to meet the April 2016 deadline for its implementation.
"After discussions, the Government shall, if required call the second part of Monsoon Session to pass key legislations. I appeal to all political parties to keep in mind the national interest. Parliament should function. There is no substitute to healthy debate in democracy.
"The bills like GST, real estate regulation bill and land bill are very important. The delay in passage of the GST bill will hamper the aspirations of people of India and in particular the dreams of the youth, who are thirsty for jobs," Naidu said at a press conference.
Though the dates are yet to be finalised, the Monsoon Session is expected to be reconvened sometime in September, sources said.
Sources in the BJP claimed while Congress President Sonia Gandhi was ready to come round to Government's view point; the Congress Vice-President was not as agreeable.
Appealing to the Opposition parties to help and cooperate in passage of these bills, Naidu said the Government is ready to discuss all issues and is committed to continuously reaching out to all parties to keep national interests above political interests.
"This is even more important in the backdrop of the current financial situation across the globe," Naidu said in the backdrop of depreciation of Indian rupee.
"I deal with parties and not individuals. But I have no problem in meeting Rahul also. During the last session, I had met Congress President Sonia Gandhi. If required, if they suggest, I can go to the Congress President, Vice President and even General Secretaries," Naidu said.
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said he called the press conference to set the record straight as it was being said the government did not accommodate the opposition and Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not reach out to them.