AFP - The speaker of the Indian parliament called together all political parties on Thursday to try to end a legislative deadlock over a massive telecoms graft scandal.
The impasse, caused by daily opposition protests, paralysed parliament during its entire five-week winter session that ended on December 13 and now threatens the budget session beginning in February.
The protesters, led by the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have vowed to continue their demands for a cross-party probe into the sale of second-generation telecom licences in 2007-08.
Licences were sold at a fraction of their value, costing the treasury up to 40 billion dollars.
Meira Kumar, the speaker of the lower house, met with leaders of the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP on Thursday afternoon. No immediate breakthrough was reported.
The government has constantly refused calls for a cross-party probe, saying other independent investigations are under way.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also offered to appear before the public accounts committee to try to resolve the impasse before parliament reconvenes.
Due to the protests, no legislation was passed in the winter session and another deadlock could threaten the next federal budget.
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