PM prefers to maintain silence on Lokpal issue

Manmohan Singh today steered clear of the issue of bringing the Prime Minister under the ambit of the Lokpal.

"I don't want to comment. It is not a question of my personal view", Singh told reporters when asked about his reaction on the contentious issue that has seen sharp divisions between the government and civil society representatives drafting the Lok Pal Bill.

Singh's remarks came on a day when the government wrote to all Chief Ministers and leaders of political parties eliciting their views on issues including whether to bring the Prime Minister under the Lokpal.