In an apparent show of solidarity with the Congress, the West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, took an indirect dig at Mr Anna Hazare's movement. She however, did not mention Mr Hazare anywhere during her address.

"Many persons have been expressing their views and I admit they have the right to do so. But I must also ask while the issue is yet to be discussed in Parliament, why should there be so much hue and cry,” Ms Banerjee said at a press conference.

According to the Chief Minster, although her party (the Trinamool Congress) is against corruption, there should not be such a hue and cry outside Parliament where a Bill is awaiting discussion.

Ms Banerjee's Trinamool Congress is the second largest ally in UPA-II.

“We are against corruption. Our Prime Minister personally is not corrupt. He is an honest man. But the system needs to be improved,” she said, adding that there was a need for comprehensive reforms in the system.

Ms Banerjee's support for the Prime Minster comes a day after Dr Manmohan Singh, while delivering a lecture in the city, hinted that the Centre was open to “reasoned debate” on all issues relating to the Lok Pal. He had also stressed on the need for judicial reforms to stem corruption.

“There should be judicial reforms, administrative reforms, electoral reforms, recovery of black money and stopping further misuse of government funds,” Ms Banerjee said.

According to the Chief Minister, all parties, including the Trinamool, will give their opinion and take part in debates on the Lok Pal Bill once it is tabled.

PM's visit to Bangladesh

The exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh and improvement of bilateral ties will figure prominently during talks between Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Ms Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka early next month.

Serious efforts would be made to resolve outstanding problems regarding exchange of enclaves between the two countries, Ms. Banerjee said at the State Legislative Assembly. The West Bengal Chief Minister will accompany the Prime Minister during the two-day visit to Bangladesh.

The Union Home Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, is expected to visit the State on August 27. He will visit Petrapole on the India-Bangladesh border for a Rs 174 crore integrated border check-post.

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