On the eve of Parliament session, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government is ready to discuss any issue that members may raise and hoped the crucial Telangana bill would be passed even as the Opposition asked the ruling party not to give "sermons".
"Of course, there is the vital issue of Telangana. We will be bringing the bill before Parliament," Singh told reporters after an all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar to ensure smooth functioning of the House.
"I sincerely hope that after a long debate spreading over many years, the House will in its wisdom will be able to transact the business and pass the bill," he added.
Noting that there are many important legislations pending including anti-corruption measures, Women's Reservation Bill and Communal Violence Bill, Singh said, "I sincerely hope that Parliament in its wisdom will transact the essential business which is the primary concern of any legislature in the Parliamentary democracy."
He said there will be an opportunity for Parliament, even on the vote on account, to discuss the issues which are agitating the MPs.
However, soon after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj exchanged barbs signalling that the 12-day session which will conclude on February 21 will not be a smooth affair and Telangana could be an issue of trouble.
While Nath sought "genuine and not half hearted" support of opposition on Telangana and anti-corruption bills, Swaraj wondered Congress is playing the politics of both support and opposition on Telangana with its Chief Minister rejecting the bill which was sent by the Prime Minister.
However, Swaraj bluntly told Congress to put its house in order first, apparently referring to the disruptions mainly caused by its own pro-Telangana and anti-Telangana MPs from Andhra Pradesh.
"Congress should not give sermons to opposition on disruptions in Parliament when their party leaders are supporting as well as opposing Telangana," Swaraj said, hitting back at Nath.
Nath earlier appealed to all political parties to provide "genuine support and not for the sake of support". "It is a historic session and there is no scope for ifs and buts," he added.
He regretted that the 15th Lok Sabha has witnessed highest number of disruptions since independence despite passing several landmark bills like the Food Security Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill.
As many as 39 bills have been listed in the session which is the continuation of the Winter session that ended last December.
Suggesting that BJP was practicing policy of "half support and half opposition" on anti-corruption measures as well as Telangana, Nath urged the opposition party to desist from it.
"This matter can not be put to rest by unrest as 17 members from Telangana will and 25 from Seemandhra will always be there. This matter must put to rest. No political parties should make use of an argument that the House is not going to function. This issue is not a party issue.
"This is an issue versus Seemandhra and Telangana.... Our whole efforts is there for Telangana bill. But this efforts should not only from Government's side. The efforts should be from all parties. This issue will be settled only when everybody decides it together," Nath said.

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