PM convenes all-party meeting on Lok Pal

With the threat of Anna Hazare's agitation looming large, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called an all-party meeting next week to evolve a broad consensus on the Lok Pal Bill and ensure its passage during the current session of Parliament that ends on December 22.

Before the all party meeting, the UPA allies will hold confabulations among themselves on December 13 to devise a common strategy and speak in one voice in Parliament. Sources said the Cabinet would also meet on Tuesday, during which it is expected to consider the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel and Law and Justice on the Lok Pal Bill.

Singh has invited all political parties to a meeting at his residence on December 14 to discuss the Lok Pal issue and build a broad consensus on the Bill so that it can be passed without much hindrance during the ongoing winter session. Sources have indicated the Bill was likely to be passed by the Cabinet after incorporating some of the suggestions made by the Parliamentary panel. The Bill, with amendments, may be introduced in Parliament on December 19.