The SSPP envisages construction of around two lakh free houses, which are to be cross-subsidised by houses sold in the open market. The Sena and BJP had recently got into a spat over the issue, with BJP city unit president Kirit Somaiya claiming that the sale component would only add to the lakhs of unsold flats already in the market. The depressed real estate rates, already reeling under recession, would only serve to make the scheme unviable.

On Wednesday, the BJP andSena met under the leadership of BJP functionary Pramod Mahajan and Sena chief Bal Thackeray, where it was decided to have a five member panel to study the scheme.

Expressing surprise that the BJP and the Sena had reconciled just a day after the BJP had boycotted Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Azmi demanded to know the details of the talks. The SP alleged that the BJP is promoting the interests of the builders' lobby. ``Despite yesterday's `amicable marathon dialogue', between Thackeray and Mahajan, the question on which lobby (contractors or builders) has won remains unanswered,'' alleged the party in its letter. ``The intensity with which the parties are fighting the issue creates a suspicion that the stakes are too high for either to forego,'' the party has charged.