Sonia, Manmohan take up Modi's offer, attend 'chai pe charcha' at 7RCR

On Friday, after the Lok Sabha session ended for the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh at his residence over tea and discussed the introduction of the new goods and service tax (GST).

Finance Minister Arun Jaitely, who was also present at the meeting, told reporters once the 'Chai pe charcha' ended,

"PM Modi invited Sonia ji and Manmohan ji to discuss various issues related to the winter session. There was also discussion on the GST bill. The Congress leaders gave their suggestions and we also told them our opinion."

The Rajya Sabha member further added,

"The Congress leaders will discuss (the issue) within the party and will contact the government. There is also a possibility that we may meet again."

The GST bill has been at the forefront of economic reform for the current government, but the opposition has demanded amendments in some key areas of the bill.

On 26 November, Tariq Anwar of the NCP had said, "We support the GST bill but the government should look into the amendments suggested by the opposition.

"The GST bill needs a two-third majority in Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to be passed and is now stuck in Rajya Sabha.