The government on Thursday said it was ready for a discussion on the Tehelka expose in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Almost immediately the Congress Party responded saying if there was 'full-fledged' debate on the issue, the party will lift its boycott of Defence Minister George Fernandes in Parliament.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said presiding officers of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Manohar Joshi have taken an initiative to end the impasse.

Congress spokesman S Jaipal Reddy said, "If a formula is worked out, we will consider lifting the boycott."

Asked why the party was making such an offer after boycotting Fernandes in Parliament for more than one-and-a-half years, Reddy said the party had made such an offer six months ago.

"Even at the end of the last session, the party had suggested to the government but the ruling party has not responded to it," he said. "Even today we are not standing on technicalities, but want a debate on Tehelka issue."

Stating Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was accountable for Tehelka expose, Reddy said when it took place the party demanded resignation of the government and not Fernandes.