Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has criticised the government's decision to bring an ordinance to protect convicted lawmakers saying that it is wrong. Observing that no compromise be made to fight corruption, he said the ordinance should be thrown away. He was talking to reporters in New Delhi.

After Rahul Gandhi's comments, Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken said the party is opposed to the ordinance.
The developments came a day after President Pranab Mukherjee summoned senior Cabinet ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde, Kamal Nath and Kapil Sibal for consultations on the ordinance pending before him for signature.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that the issues raised by Rahul Gandhi on the Ordinance will be discussed by the cabinet on his return from the United States.

Dr. Singh said the Representation of People Act has been a matter of much public debate and Congress Vice President had also written to him before he made the statement on the issue.

BJP has termed Rahul Gandhi's statement on ordinance to protect convicted lawmakers as a damage control exercise. Party spokesperson, Meenakshi Lekhi said the statement has come late.