New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS): The Congress party is all set to withdraw the contentious ordinance that created turmoil among its members, after it was attacked publicly by party vice-president Rahul Gandhi last week.

This ordinance allows convicted parliamentarians to stay in office and it was severely criticised. Earlier on Wednesday morning, Congress leader met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and explained his outburst against the proposed ordinance.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Wednesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the ordinance that proposes to protect convicted lawmakers, a party official said.

A party official said to IANS: "He (Rahul Gandhi) arrived at the PM residence at around 9:45 a.m... they discussed the ordinance." a party official said. The meeting went on for around 25 minutes.

Gandhi had earlier rubbished the ordinance, saying that it was "complete nonsense" and should be "torn up and thrown away".

The remark had created a political storm, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying that the prime minister should step down.

Manmohan Singh Tuesday said he would not quit over the perceived undermining of his authority and that of his cabinet by Rahul Gandhi.