Talking to opposition to break deadlock: Kamal Nath

The government is talking to the opposition to end a deadlock over FDI in retail in the Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said Thursday, even as the Lok Sabha agreed to a debate with voting on the issue.

Opposition members, including those of the Bharatiya Janata Party, want a debate with voting in the Rajya Sabha too. Asked if the government was talking to the opposition, Kamal Nath replied: "Yes."

Congress leader Ambika Soni told reporters: "The parliamentary affairs minister has made all efforts to break the deadlock in the Lok Sabha. He will make efforts to run the Rajya Sabha as well...

"One house is discussing it (FDI in multi-brand retail), let's see what is the sense of the house, what people say."

The opposition is demanding a debate with voting in parliament on allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail trade.