All-party meet likely on Lokpal

New Delhi, Jun 18 (PTI) The Union Government may soon
call an all-party meeting to seek views from across the
political spectrum even as it prima facie ruled out including
the Prime Minister within the ambit of the Lok Pal Bill until
at least he demits office.
The move to convene the meeting came on Friday after
the high level Congress Core Group's parleys, second in 24
hours, decided on their strategy with the demand for including
the Prime Minister remaining a major sticking point with the
civil society. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress
President Sonia Gandhi were among others who were at the
parleys.
The civil society representatives led by Anna Hazare
is pitching for inclusion of Prime Minister as also higher
judiciary in the proposed Lokpal bill during meetings of the
Joint Committee to draft the measure which will be meeting
again on June 20 and 21.
HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, one of the government
representatives on the joint drafting committee, made clear
their opposition to bringing the post of Prime Minister under
the purview of Lokpal till he demits office.
Sibal also ruled out opening the conduct of MPs inside
Parliament as also the higher judiciary to the scrutiny of the
proposed ombudsman.
"Within the government, we feel prima facie, the Prime
Minister should not be covered (under the Lokpal). But at the
same time we want to make sure that if he demits office, he
should not be exonerated from prosecution," he said.
Sibal said government will discuss the draft Lokpal
Bill with political parties before it goes to the Union
Cabinet for approval.
"The government will seek the views of political
parties and Chief Ministers on the draft bill before it goes
to the Cabinet. Whatever agreements or disagreements on the
draft are there will be presented before parties," he said.