Food Bill : Sonia reaches out to Sushma

As the government-Opposition standoff persisted in parliament, the Congress on Tuesday initiated fresh moves to break the deadlock to get the ambitious Food Security Bill passed in the Budget session which is concluding on May 10.A The efforts for the rapproachement were initiated by Congress President Sonia Gandhi this morning by reaching out to Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, apparently to win BJP's support for passage of crucial Bills. The Congress Core Group held a meeting where Sonia and the Prime Minister took stock of the situation as regards the Bill at a time when only three days are left for the session to conclude. The meeting was held amidst speculation that both Houses may be adjourned sine die before Friday. The Congress Core Group is also expected to meet tomorrow to decide the future course of action on the measure. Leader of the Lok Sabha Sushil Kumar Shinde told BJP leader Ananth Kumar that since the Food Security Bill is an important measure concerning the poor, all political parties should participate in the discussion on it and the issue of its passage should be decided thereafter. Top BJP sources said the party is ready to attend any all-party meeting convened by the Prime Minister or the leader of Lok Sabha.A The Left parties have already pledged support to the Bill, with some amendments, pushing the BJP in a spot. The main Opposition- which agrees with the Food Security Bill in principle- does not want to be seen disrupting the House when it comes up for discussion and passage. Swaraj had earlier announced that BJP will not attend any meeting called by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar or Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath after the Treasury Benches disrupted her speech on Friday.