The Opposition on Monday decided to skip a meeting called at short notice by leader of the Rajya Sabha, Piyush Goyal, to counter the charge that the government had not reached out to them to try and end the weeklong stalemate over the Pegasus snooping controversy and repeal of the three farm laws.

Responding to a direct charge by the RJD’s Manoj Jha that ministers had not reached out to Opposition members to evolve a formula to break the deadlock despite a directive from the chairman, Goyal said: “I am appealing and inviting, on the floor of the House, the honourable leaders of different parties to join me over a cup of tea today at six o’clock (6pm). I am publicly inviting them to join me over a cup of tea. We are happy to discuss all the issues, evolve a consensus and develop a formula.’’

Goyal’s appeal cut no ice. If anything, the sudden invitation for a meeting 50 minutes later without checking if the Opposition leaders were free at that time further upset them.

“They think we are at their beck and call,’’ AAP’s Sanjay Singh told The Telegraph, adding that the Pegasus snooping case has serious ramifications involving the Rafale deal and blackmail.

According to Binoy Viswam of the CPI, the sudden invite smacked of arrogance. “A government which has shown absolute disregard for all norms of democracy is trying to play a gimmick on Parliament and trying to befool the Opposition. The CPI does not want to be a party to this, and opted out of the meeting,” he said.

Congress chief whip Jairam Ramesh said no one went for the meeting, underscoring his earlier tweet in which he spelt out the Opposition’s demands. “The entire Opposition is united. 1. Have a discussion on Pegasus snooping issue in presence of Prime Minister or Home Minister. 2. Announce a Supreme Court-monitored enquiry into the scandal. Parliament is not functioning because Govt is not agreeing to these legitimate demands,’’ he had tweeted.

Trinamul Congress’s Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien supported Ramesh’s tweet after the invite and said: “We need this in #Parliament @narendramodi @AmitShah. Not green tea at @PiyushGoyal office. Thanks. But no thanks.’’

DMK’s T. Siva told this newspaper that there were only a few party leaders present in the House when Goyal made the invitation. “Is this the way to ensure that the entire Opposition is present?” he asked.

In the House, Siva also objected to the Chair switching off the mike of leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge when he was interrupted by Goyal.

The government’s contention is that Goyal and parliamentary affairs ministers had reached out to various leaders of the Opposition for finding a way out of the deadlock. “But there is no consensus among all the Opposition parties on many issues,’’ Goyal said.

With former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Trinamul national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee featuring in the list of potential hacking targets in the Pegasus snooping case, both parties are unwilling to settle for the statement by the IT minister which has already been tabled in both Houses. This, they say, is way beyond his remit; adding for good measure that not only is Ashwini Vaishnaw new to the job but he also features on the list.