Government is now holding discussions with the UPA alliance partners on the Lokpal Bill.

Earlier, the Prime Minister exchanged views with the UPA Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and his senior Cabinet colleagues to fine-tune the strategy of the party on the issue.

The discussion assumes importance as it comes close on the heels of an All Party meeting on the issue tomorrow.

Government has announced that it will bring the Bill for approval in Parliament on the 20th of this month.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee looking into the draft Bill has made several recommendations.

The Opposition has been pressing for bringing in its ambit the Prime Minister and lower bureaucracy.

The Congress today said that it is working to evolve a consensus on Lokpal.

Briefing reporters in New Delhi, party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that it is Parliament which will take the final decision on the issue. He added that the Congress is reaching out to its allies and other parties to bring a stringent anti-corruption ombudsman.
The main opposition, BJP has also called for making the CBI more autonomous.

Party has rejected the allegation that it has denigrated the importance of Parliament by participating in an open debate on Lokpal.

Party spokesman S.S. Ahluwalia said that it will oppose the Bill if Prime Minister is not brought under its purview.

Granting Constitutional status to the proposed Lokpal will have no meaning if it does not have powers to probe the Prime Minister and the CBI within its jurisdiction.

Senior CPI (M) leader, Sitaram Yechury made it clear that the Left would demand inclusion of the Prime Minister within the ambit of the Lokpal. He said that the CBI's anti-graft wing should be within the jurisdiction of the proposed Ombudsman.