Tuesday, May 10 2005 14:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and the Government today (May 10, 2005) once again appealed to the Opposition to end its boycott and return to the House to participate in deliberations on important issues.

The appeal came when the Speaker called out names of two MPs, Anandrao Adsul of Shiv Sena and Tathagata Satpathy of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), to ask their questions during Question Hour.

As both members were absent following the Opposition decision to boycott the proceedings, the next question was taken up for reply.

"I take this opportunity to urge the Opposition to return to the House. They (Opposition MPs) are also raising important questions but these are remaining unanswered (due to the their absence)," Chatterjee said, asking the entire House to join him in his appeal.

Leader of the House and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee also requested the Opposition to return and participate in the proceedings.

The Telugu Desam Party, which has been supporting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has ended its boycott and is participating in the proceedings.