 "Debate is parliament's soul: PM Modi")
Debate and discussion is parliament's soul, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday ahead of the winter session that is likely to see his government fend charges of growing intolerance while pushing for the passage of key bills.
"I am hopeful that the ideas, discussions and thinking will create new innovative ideas to make the nation better," Modi told reporters outside parliament.
"Debate and discussion is the soul of parliament," he said.
He said he was "confident that we all members of parliament will leave no stone un-turned to meet the people's expectations".
He also said the constitution was a ray of hope. "When I say hope, I mean H for harmony, O for opportunity, P for people's participation and E for equality," he said.
The winter session will end on December 23.
Several economic reform bills are on the government's agenda, with the bill to implement Goods and Services Tax (GST) being a priority.