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The Union Cabinet would discuss on Thursday amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance amidst indications by Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani that the provisions relating to journalists would be modified.
Advani told journalists that "we may not be able to allay the apprehensions of others on POTO, but we will certainly do so with regard to the media".
The home minister said although the government could not establish a "synergetic relationship" with the opposition on the new anti-terror ordinance, it couldn't run away from its responsibilities to the nation.
Advani's remarks came a day after an all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee failed to evolve a consensus on the issue.
The government would bring the bill in the Lok Sabha next week and in the Rajya Sabha, where it does not have a majority, in the subsequent week.
The prime minister declined to comment when asked whether the government would convene a joint sitting of Parliament if the bill fell through in the Rajya Sabha.
But Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman V K Malhotra said the party favoured a joint session of both the Houses to get POTO passed.
The Congress responded by declaring that it had accepted the challenge to take on the government in the joint session.
The BJP and the Congress traded charges of partisanship in attacking each other's stand on POTO.
PTI
ALSO SEE The Complete Coverage: The Anti-terror Ordinance
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