Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday that the government aims to get broad consensus on all matters of legislative importance.

“It will be our effort to get broad-based consensus on all matters which are of great legislative importance,” the prime minister said in response to a question about BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s opposition to the bill against communal violence.

Talking to the reporters before the winter session of parliament began, he said: “This session of parliament is of a short duration, and therefore it is obligatory for all political parties…to make their best possible effort to (run the) business of the two houses as easily and smoothly as possible.”

“We seek the co-operation of all segments of the house for the smooth passing of the  essential legislation,” he said.