The women's reservation bill appears to have been put on on the backburner for the time being after dissent stared at the face of BJP with some MPs threatening to defy the whip and the Yadav trio stepping up their campaign against the measure.

On a day the BJP, whose support is crucial for passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha, was grappling with the problem of unhappiness among its MPs, a Congress MP also openly expressed views similar to those being voiced by the opponents of the measure.

Trouble continued over the measure resulting in disruption of the Lok Sabha for the fourth consecutive day.

In a bid to break the standoff in the house, Leader of the house and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee met with leaders of various parties including Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Sharad Yadav, the prominent opponents, and those of allies like Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banjerjee, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and DMK leader TR Baalu.

"Some sort of assurance was sought on the progress of the Constitution Amendment Bill (Women's Bill). Before bringing it to the Lok Sabha, the government will complete the process of consultations with all concerned," Mukherjee said in a statement in the Lok Sabha after the meeting.

"I think, this assurance would assuage the feelings of all members who would allow financial business in the remaining period," he said, when the House reassembled at 2 PM after two adjournments.

The stand-off over the bill had prevented normal functioning of the Lok Sabha for the last four days as those opposed to it have been disrupting the House.

"I would like to inform members that it has been agreed to conduct smooth business of the House for the remaining period," Mukherjee said, adding "I would request colleagues to help the Chair to conduct normal business."

Normalcy was restored soon after and a debate on Budget, which had got delayed because of acrimony, was taken up.

Earlier, when the House met for the day, members from SP, RJD and JD(U) created uproar, with Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Sharad Yadav leading from the front.

The government tried to mollify its opponents offering to explore "various ideas and possibilities" by consulting them before bringing the Bill to the House.

"Before the bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha we will consult you," Mukherjee said pointing out that "all these issues can be raised, debated and decided by this House only."

He also cited instances of certain bills that were passed by one House but rejected by the other.

"There is no harm in calling an all-party meeting. This is a Constitution Amendment Bill which has to be passed with special majority and ratified by half of the states," he said.

Noting that there were divergent views on the issue, Mukherjee said there have been debates and discussions but no consensus could be reached. .

"I myself held several rounds of talks. Then Home Minister Shivraj Patil took meetings. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took meetings. Various attempts were made during UPA-I and NDA regimes to arrive at a consensus.

"But certain political parties took a particular view, some others took a different view. There was no convergence of views," Mukherjee said.

He said, "Various ideas can be explored to narrow down divergence and bring convergence" and appealed to the members to let the House transact normal business.

"Nothing can be achieved by stalling the proceedings. Financial business has to be completed and there is a time schedule for it," he said.

But the critics were not satisfied with the assurance.

Speaker Meira Kumar allowed SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad to air their views on the bill.

The three leaders wanted separate quotas for OBCs, Dalits and Muslims in the bill and demanded that it be amended before being introduced in the Lok Sabha.

They also wanted an all-party meeting to arrive at a consensus on the issue.

Mulayam Singh contended that the Bill in its current form would benefit only the women who have already made progress and ignore those who have been left behind.

"Those who have been pushed behind will be further pushed behind. We have to make provisions for reservation for Dalit, backward and Muslim women," he said.

He said Samajwadi Party was ready to support amendments to the Women's Reservation Bill. .

As the SP chief began to speak on price rise, there were suggestions from BJP benches that he should not divert from the issue of women's reservation.

JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said there was restlessness among political activists across the country over the bill.

"This is a Constitution Amendment Bill. Heavens will not fall if you hold discussions with all parties," he said.

"Talk to everyone. Let leaders of all parties sit together and find a way out," he said.

He contended that nobody, except political activists, have the ability to understand the country better and the bill sought to negate their work carried over a lifetime.

"Before being brought to this House, there should be consensus on it," Yadav said.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad said a solution to the current deadlock could be found if leaders of all parties met. Prasad said he had called up Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the issue but did not specify whether there was any discussion on it.