Speaker to meet party chiefs before winter session

With Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar meeting leaders of political parties in Delhi on Thursday -- a routine drill before commencement of the month-long Lok Sabha's winter session -- hectic political activities have begun behind the scenes.

The winter session of the Parliament is slated to be a stormy one – the most controversial ones being the Rs 4,000-crore scam involving former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, Rs 30,000-crore spectrum scam involving Union Minister A Raja, repeated attacks by the Maoists and the fatwa issued on the singing of 'Vande Mataram' and the US trip of Indian investigators in the Headley case.

Though the Parliament session begins on November 19, a Thursday, the real political drama will begin only on November 23.

The first day will be spent on condolence resolutions, while the next day, being a Friday, will be a private members day, when the attendance of Members of Parliament is expected to be minimal.

A week ago, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had an hour-long luncheon session with the leader of opposition L K Advani and Arun Jaitely to brief them on China-related matters.

National Security Advisors M K Narayanan and PM's Principal Secretary T K A Nair were also present at the presentation.