New Delhi: Anticipating strong Opposition and Left criticism, Government yesterday (Nov 19, 2006)night expressed readiness for discussion on any issue decided by the Chair in the Winter Session of Parliament beginning November 22.

The assurance was given to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee during a dinner meeting he hosted for Congress leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee and party whips Krishna Tirath and Kirip Chaliha were also present during the deliberations.

The Opposition parties and the Left group have stacked up ammunition to target the government on a number of issues -- from clemency to Parliament attack convict Mohd Afzal Guru and agrarian crisis to the Sachar Committee Report on the socio-economic and educational status of Muslims in the country.

The Speaker had yesterday hosted a breakfast for leaders of the Opposition NDA and would hold similar interaction with the Left, SP, RLD, TDP and BSP tomorrow. He is also hosting a dinner tomorrow for UPA partners.