Govt under pressure to include PM in Lok Pal

The government today came under intense pressure from political parties to include the office of Prime Minister, Group C and D employees and the anti-corruption wing of CBI within the purview of the Lok Pal Bill.

Ahead of the all-party meeting on the Lok Pal Bill convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here tomorrow, parties including BJP, the Left and BSP made their position clear on the issue which they said will pursue at tomorrow's meeting.

The Prime Minister discussed the Bill with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and top Congress leaders and ministerial colleagues in the Core Group today ahead of the meeting with UPA allies in the evening.

The government has given indications that it may not not be averse to the inclusion of Prime Minister within the ambit of the ombudsman.

It is expected to fine tune its strategy after the discussions with allies and at the all-party meeting.

The BJP Parliamentary Party met today under the chairmanship of LK Advani and decided to press for the inclusion of Prime Minister, lower bureaucracy and Citizens' Charter under Lok Pal at the all-party meeting tomorrow.

It also decided to move amendments in the Bill after consultation with other parties in case the government does not accept its proposals.