Congress working committee for tough line on Lokpal bill (Lead)

New Delhi, June 24

Hinting at a tough line against the civil society leaders on the Lokpal bill, most members of the Congress working committe, at a meeting here Friday, asked the government not tolerate the "pressure tactics of some self-styled persons" that disrupt the democratic system, the party's chief spokesperson, Janardhan Dwivedi, said.

"Most of the speakers said that the government should not tolerate the pressure tactics of some self-styled persons in the name of civil society," Dwidevi said while briefing reporters about the deliberations of the meeting. Others agreed with this, he added.

The meeting, held at the 10 Janpath residence of Congress president Sonia gandhi, lasted one-hour-and-38 minutes, Dwivedi said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi were among the 30 of the 35 working committee members who attended the meeting.

In her introductory remarks, Gandhi said that she and the prime minister have been expressing their views on the issue of corruption and explaining the action taken.

"But the discussion in the meeting was only on the Lokpal bill issue," Dwivedi added. Sixteen members spoke at the meeting, he said.

Mukherjee, who was also the co-chair of the joint drafting committee of the Lokpal bill - which comprised five ministers and five civil society leaders, including Anna Hazare - briefed the meeting about the developments regarding the Lokpal bill, Dwivedi said.

Mukherjee said that the draft bill, along with the differences expressed by the civil society members, will be sent to the cabinet. Meanwhile, consultations will be held with the political parties.

The bill, as approved by the cabinet, will be introduced in parliament and will pass through the "suitable constitutional process" and taken ahead, Dwivedi said.

In his concluding remarks, Manmohan Singh said he took note of the opinions expressed by the members, Dwivedi added.

Asked whether the Congress stand will be different from the government's, Dwivedi said the party had always been backing the government's position.

To a question on how the party viewed the threat of Hazare to hold another fast from August 16, Dwivedi remarked: "Let August 16 come."

Source: http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a230132.html

blow sheryl crow gilbert arenas sytycd bits emmy rossum genetics