Monday, February 13 2006 10:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The BJP-led Opposition will raise a host of issues, including India's vote on Iran and the defreezing of Bofors accused Ottavio London bank accounts, in the Budget session of Parliament commencing Thursday.

An indication to this effect was available at a dinner meeting hosted by Speaker Somanth Chatterjee for NDA leaders to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament.

At the meeting, the NDA leaders, led by former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, assured the Speaker their "full cooperation" in running the House in an orderly manner.

The Speaker, on his part, said he was ready to allow discussions on any subject so long as rules permit.

The NDA leaders including V K Malhotra, Santhossh Gangwar (Both BJP) and B K Tripathy (BJD) said they would also raise issues like price rise, suicides by farmers and unemploymeent.

Opposition Leader in the House L K Advani was not present at the meeting.

Interestingly, the Telugu Desam Party, which was key outside supporter of the NDA when it was in power, has requested the Speaker that it should be invited along with the Left, Samajwadi Party and BSP when they will meet the Speaker on Wednesday.

As part of his pre-session exercise, Chatterjee has invited Congress leaders today (Feb 13,2006) for dinner. UPA partners like DMK and RJD have been invited for lunch on Tuesday.