Stiff Oppn a big hurdle in passing Lokpal Bill

New Delhi: The Lokpal Bill was finally introduced in Parliament after repeated adjournments, but not without much drama in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. It was clear that the bill was unlikely to get support and its fate is uncertain. 

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad was its strongest critic and accused anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare of dictating terms to Parliament.
"A retired police officer, two lawyers, an activist and others have been dictating to MPs and Parliament," said Lalu Prasad.

And even the Left, which was as critical of the Bill, dismissed Hazare as not being the second Gandhi.
"There is only one father of the nation - Mahatma Gandhi," said CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta.
The Bill faced opposition from pro-Muslim quota MPs like Lalu and Mulayam and they, along with congress MP Raj Babbar, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ask for re-insertion of minority quota in the Lokpal, which was removed on Wednesday night.

The Congress Core Committee on Thursday met to decide to include minority quota. But it was clear that the Government was under stress, though Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee insisted that the UPA has not brought the Bill under Anna Hazare's pressure.


"There was a discussion in both the Houses. Somebody is talking of duress...where is the question of duress? Somebody, who is advising me to be strong, should have advised his political leaders when they went and sat on the dharna manch of Sri Anna Hazare, and what they said...please check out," said Mukherjee.
Meanwhile, Team Anna has already trashed the Bill and promised agitation.
"Why is the Government bringing such a Bill? It will serve no purpose. We have been watching our MPs, we will now reach out to the people," said Hazare.

Though taking a cue from Sonia Gandhi's tough talk, the Congress has decided not to be scared of Anna Hazare anymore, Rahul's close aide and Bareilly MP Praveen Aaron dashed off a letter to Hazare.
The letter said, "Your continuous canard-spreading and false propaganda against the Congress Party, even after its sincere efforts, makes it amply clear that your 'movement against corruption' has drifted into being a 'politically-motivated planned conspiracy' against the Congress and to promote otherwise bleak political fortunes of the BJP."

Before Parliament meets on December 27 to discuss and pass the Bill, the Congress will have to work hard at winning support.

Courtesy: ibnlive