July 3, 2011 2:21 PM

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All-Party meeting on Lokpal to be held this evening

The all-party meeting on Lokpal convened by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will be held at 4.30 PM in New Delhi today. At the meeting to be held at Prime Minister's residence, the government is expected to present to the parties a comparative draft of the provisions of the Lokpal Bill suggested by the civil society and those put forward by the five union ministers in the Joint Drafting Committee.As reported earlier, NDA and Left parties have confirmed that they will attend the meeting. Briefing the media after a meeting of the NDA leaders, Senior BJP leader L.K.Advani said that his party and allies will put forth their views on the anti-graft bill. He said, the government should first get the draft of the bill approved by thecabinet and introduce it in Parliament for debate on the issue.BJP itself is said to be having reservations against civil society demands like inclusion of higher judiciary and MPs' conduct in Parliament because this would go against the constitutional provisions.On the other hand, the CPI(M) has accused the Congress of reversing its own stand of bringing the Prime Minister under the Lokpal purview, saying a parliamentary panel headed by senior party leader Pranab Mukherjee had made such a recommendation in 2001. CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told the media in New Delhi that the Prime Minister should be included under the purview of the bill as his office is not immune to the Prevention of Corruption Act.In a related development, Civil society activist Anna Hazare yesterday met UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to explain their stand on the anti-corruption Bill. Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, he said, proper draft of Lokpal Bill should go to Parliament and they will respect whatever Parliament decides. Briefing reporters about the meeting, Congress spokesman Janardan Dwedi said that Mrs. Gandhi hasassured Anna Hazare that the views of the civil society will be discussed in the party.Meanwhile, All India Anna DMKChief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha has said that her party is not in favour of bringing Prime Minister in the purview of Lokpal. In an interview to a TV Channel, she said, foreign power can misuse the Lokpal if the Prime Minister is brought under the purview of Lokpal.

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