New Delhi: A meeting of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) MPs began today (Jul 6, 2004) to discuss among other things the alliance's strategy vis-a-vis the General Budget presentation and the discussions on it in both the Houses of Parliament.

Presided over by NDA chairman and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the meeting is being attended by NDA Convenor George Fernandes, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha L K Advani, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president M Venkaiah Naidu, besides senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, Jaswant Singh and Vijay Kumar Malhotra.

NDA had yesterday (Jul 5, 2004) decided to stall Parliament proceedings till the "tainted" ministers are dropped from the Cabinet.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had later spoken to Vajpayee and Advani requesting them to ensure a smooth conduct of Parliamentary proceedings.

The NDA had yesterday said that it would boycott the Railway Budget presentation by Railway Minister Laloo Prasad today. "So far, the decision is to boycott, but if there is a change we will let you know," Malhotra had said.