UPA committed to lokpal, have patience, Hazare told

Anna Hazare should show patience before starting an indefinite fast Dec 27 as the government was committed to a strong lokpal, minister of state in Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy said on Friday.

Anna Hazare should show patience before starting an indefinite fast Dec 27 as the government was committed to a strong lokpal, minister of state in Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy said on Friday.

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"He (Hazare) should have patience. He has given his point of view. It is not the only view. It is for the government to consider all the views," the minister told reporters.

"The government and prime minister (Manmohan Singh) are committed to bring the Lokpal Bill," he said.

The minister's comments came a day after Hazare called for a nationwide 'Jail Bharo' campaign from Jan 1 and called for protests outside Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi's homes if a strong Lokpal was not passed by parliament before the winter session ends on Dec 22.

He said before bringing official amendments to the Lokpal bill, the government was studying the recommendations of the parliamentary committee which examined it.

It was also looking into the views of political parties and other groups to ensure that the proposed lokpal is "acceptable to all".

The cabinet will consider the bill Monday after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returns from his Russia trip. The bill is likely to be tabled in the House on Tuesday.