The Congress Party has suggested to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that he address the nation on the issue of the Lokpal Bill, particularly in the context of social activist Anna Hazare’s decision to go on a hungerstrike in New Delhi from August 16 demanding strong and effective legislation.

Political equations in Maharashtra are likely to change with the main Opposition BJP-Shiv Sena combine failing to emerge as an alternate to the Congress-NCP for more than 10 years.

The Ganga issue has brought firebrand BJP leader Uma Bharti closer to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. She called on Mrs Gandhi on Saturday at her 10, Janpath residence and was impressed after the meeting.

The Congress working committee (CWC) told the government on Friday not to appear weak and succumb to pressure from “self-appointed representatives” of civil society.

The party’s highest policy-making

The Congress Working Committee on Friday told the government not to appear weak and succumb to pressures from the “self-appointed representatives” of civil society.

The battle between the Congress and the civil society group led by Anna Hazare is expected to intensify on the issue of whether or not the Prime Minister should be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill. A meeting of the Congress Working Committee here on Friday will take a “tough line” on this issue.

The battle between the Congress and the civil society group led by Anna Hazare is expected to intensify on the issue of whether or not the Prime Minister should be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill. A meeting of the Congress Working Committee here on Friday will take a “tough line” on this issue.

The divergent views in the political spectrum on the contentious issue of whether or not the Prime Minister should be within the ambit of the Lokpal is expected to come to the fore on July 3.

The government has decided to call an all-party meeting on the Lokpal Bill in a bid to isolate the civil society group led by the Gandhian Anna Hazare before the controversial draft legislation is sent to the Union Cabinet for approval. But, before that, it has set the agenda of the meeting by opposing bringing the post of Prime Minister under the purview of the Lokpal.

A debate has begun in the Congress circles whether regional satraps be given a free hand to revive the party in different states ahead of Assembly elections and the next General Election.