Congress core committee meets on Hazare

Congress sources said the meeting, held at the residence of Prime Miniser Manmohan Singh, discussed the government's response to the demands from Team Anna of holding negotiations only with the top political level.

The government may make a statement regarding the fast by Hazare in parliament Tuesday, the sources said.

As the core committee meeting was underway, Communications Minister Kapil Sibal and Law Minister Salman Khurshid also came to the prime minister's residence.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (JP) has been targeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the government's handling of Hazare's agitation, the Left and several other parties have called for nationwide protests Tuesday for effective measures against corruption and a strong Lokpal bill.

The BJP is likely to move an adjournment motion Tuesday to discuss the government's handling of the Hazare issue.

The Congress made it clear Monday that suggestions of Team Hazare on the Lokpal bill will be considered by the standing committee but the legislation could not be passed in the monsoon session of parliament. The party called upon Team Hazare to show flexibility by moving away from timelines.

The prime minister also said at a function in Kolkata that the government was open for a debate on Lokpal bill but corruption could be tackled only by action on multiple fronts.