Government Offers Olive Branch to Suspended Opposition MPs Ahead of Key Budget Session
• Government moves to revoke suspension of 14 opposition MPs ahead of budget session, offering an olive branch for smooth conduct • This is the last session of the 17th Lok Sabha; all eyes on President's address on Wed and interim budget presentation on Feb 1 by FM Sitharaman • 45 leaders from 30 parties, including BJP, attended all-party meeting; Parl Affairs Minister Joshi requests MPs to not come with placards • Key JD(U) opposition leader Lalan Singh absent after party returned to NDA; he had been vocal against NDA members • Def Min Rajnath chairs all-party and strategy meeting; oppn raises central agencies' probe against leaders