Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath has expressed hope that the Lokpal Bill will be passed in Parliament today. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, he said that he has requested the Samajwadi Party for its cooperation in the smooth passage of the Bill. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla also said today that the Samajwadi Party will be persuaded to pass the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, he said, the Samajwadi Party members will have their full say during the discussion on the Bill. But they must cooperate in passing it.
BSP Chief Mayawati today said that her party will fully support the government in passing the Lokpal Bill in Parliament.Talking to reporters outside Parliament, she said, whether the Bill is passed with or without discussion, her party is committed to support its passage in the current session of Parliament. But she regretted that the BSP was not invited by the government in all-party meeting yesterday.
On the question of Communal Violence Bill as approved by the Cabinet yesterday, Ms Mayawati said, her party supports it. But there should be no breach of the States’ rights in any manner.
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said that his party is willing to pass the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill even without discussion. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, he questioned why the Samajwadi Party is obstructing the proceedings in both the Houses. He alleged that there has been a tacit understanding between the Congress and the Sanmajwadi Party not to allow the Lokpal Bill to be passed.
Mr Prasad said that his party will oppose the Communal Violence Bill in its present form, saying that it will have negative impact on the country’s federal policy. He said the Bill is merely meant for vote bank politics.
Senior CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said that the Lokpal Bill should be passed without any disturbance. He told reporters in New Delhi that those who are opposing the Bill, are working against the interest of the country.
