Rahul Gandhi repeats opposition to ordinance that could be scrapped today

New Delhi: A controversial ordinance that protects convicted parliamentarians and triggered a furious critique  from Rahul Gandhi is likely to be withdrawn this evening by the cabinet.

The Prime Minister has reportedly conveyed this decision in a meeting with afternoon with  President Pranab Mukherjee, who had allegedly expressed grave reservations about the executive order when it was sent to him for his assent last week. (Track LIVE updates)

Before visiting the President, Dr Manmohan Singh met with senior Congress leaders who agreed to ask the cabinet to rescind the ordinance, derided last week by Mr Gandhi as "nonsense."

Mr Gandhi, who is the vice-president of the Congress,  met the Prime Minister this morning and expressed regret for the timing and language of his remarks, said sources. They added that Mr Gandhi clarified that he did not mean to insult or undermine the authority of the PM or the cabinet, but he reiterated his opposition to the ordinance, which is an attempt to override a Supreme Court decision that disqualifies MPs and state legislators from office if they are convicted in criminal cases.

The young vice-president's scathing  review was declared while the PM was in the US.  (Watch what he said) The opposition said Mr Gandhi had insulted the Prime Minister while in the international spotlight, ahead of important meetings with his Pakistani counterpart and President Obama.

The Congress's allies are demanding an explanation for the u-turn on the ordinance, said sources. (Read)

"It's collective wisdom. We got feedback from across the country," said Congress  spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury in an attempt to justify the reversal of policy.