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Key India meeting over measure to protect criminal MPs Indian cabinet withdraws protection for convicted MPs
(about 11 hours later)
Indian PM Manmohan Singh has met Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi ahead of a crucial cabinet meeting to decide on the fate of a controversial order that protects convicted MPs. The Indian government has withdrawn a controversial order which allows convicted MPs to run for elections while appeals are pending.
Media reports say the order is likely to be withdrawn after Mr Gandhi described it as "complete nonsense". The decision was made after PM Manmohan Singh met Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi who had opposed the order.
Last month's order overruled a Supreme Court directive which said convicted lawmakers must be removed from office. It overruled a Supreme Court directive which bans convicted lawmakers from running for office.
It has been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for approval. Campaigners had called the Supreme Court's order a major step in cleaning up Indian politics.
The controversial ordinance has been criticised by the Indian media and analysts who have described it as a threat to electoral reforms. The controversial ordinance had been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for approval, but the cabinet withdrew it after meeting on Wednesday.
It has been criticised by the Indian media and analysts who have described it as a threat to electoral reforms.
EmbarrassmentEmbarrassment
Several leaders of the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some Congress party politicians have also criticised the move. Several leaders of the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some Congress party politicians had also criticised the decree.
And in an uncharacteristic outburst last week, Mr Gandhi said the ordinance "should be torn up and thrown away". And in an uncharacteristic outburst last week, Mr Gandhi said it was a "complete nonsense" and "should be torn up and thrown away".
Mr Gandhi - the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi - is seen as the pre-eminent leader within the Congress party and his comments have been seen as a huge embarrassment to the government as ministers have defended the order. Mr Gandhi - the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi - is seen as the pre-eminent leader within the Congress party and his comments were a huge embarrassment to the government as ministers had been defending the order.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was on an official trip to the US when Mr Gandhi made the remarks, has said he will discuss the issue with the Congress leader. Prime Minister Singh was on an official trip to the US when Mr Gandhi made his remarks.
Media reports say that the two met on Wednesday morning ahead of the cabinet meeting later in the day. Media reports say that the two met on Wednesday morning ahead of the cabinet meeting.
In July, the Supreme Court ruled that convicted MPs and state legislators would be barred from office if they were sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more.In July, the Supreme Court ruled that convicted MPs and state legislators would be barred from office if they were sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more.
Campaigners had called the Supreme Court's order a major step in cleaning up Indian politics, which has been beset by corruption scandals. The move was welcomed by campaigners who want major reforms in Indian politics, which has been beset by corruption scandals.
Two senior former ministers, who were sent to prison in corruption cases in recent days, face disqualification from parliament after the court order.Two senior former ministers, who were sent to prison in corruption cases in recent days, face disqualification from parliament after the court order.
More than 150 MPs in the 543-seat lower house of parliament are said to be facing criminal charges.More than 150 MPs in the 543-seat lower house of parliament are said to be facing criminal charges.
Delhi-based election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms says across the country there are 1,460 serving lawmakers facing criminal charges.Delhi-based election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms says across the country there are 1,460 serving lawmakers facing criminal charges.