New Delhi: Congress spokesman and Lok Sabha MP Manish Tiwari has opted out of the Standing Committee that is reviewing the Lokpal Bill.

Tiwari has been most famous recently for his stringent criticism of and subsequent apology to Anna Hazare, the man in the headlines for the last two weeks. Mr Tiwari said he supported "a strong, effective Lokpal Bill, but I do not want any controversy to cast a shadow on the deliberations of this important bill." So, he said, he had decided to recuse himself from the standing committee - which is made up of 31 MPs from both Houses of Parliament. "Media reports suggest that some would object to my appointment," Mr Tiwari said.

Tiwari came in for widespread criticism for saying that anti-corruption crusader Anna was "steeped in corruption from head to toe"; the criticism came not only from the opposition, Anna's supporters and people at large, but also from many in his own party. A chastised Tiwari kept a low-profile during Mr Hazare's 13-day fast and towards the end of it, apologised.

"I know some of my recent utterances have caused hurt to Mr Hazare. I regret the same and I would like to appeal to him as a citizen of this country to end his fast...In the course of political cut and thrust, certain things are inadvertently said which cause pain," Mr Tiwari had said.