Lokpal Bill: BJP numb while L K Advani drops a bomb

New Delhi, Jul 5: When the entire political spectrum in India is abuzz with the Lokpal word with almost every party toeing the government's line, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani has begged to differ. In his blog, the former deputy PM of India has mentioned about his preference to bring the Prime Minister under the ambit of the Lokpal.

In his blog, Advani said, "I have been in parliament for 40 years, and have attended numerous all-party meetings convened by the government. The meeting held by the prime minister on July 3 evening, however, proved unique and without precedent."

Taking another of his many potshots at the government, the senior BJP leader said, "Never before has an all-party meeting turned out to be so unanimous in its criticism of the government as last Sunday's."

Advani also did not forget to mention the stance taken by Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the Lokpal Bill. Remembering the former Prime Minister's stance, Advani wrote, "The Lokpal bills presented subsequently by the NDA governments under Atal Bihari Vajpayee also covered the Prime Minister. I well remember that Atalji as PM was very insistent that the Prime Minister should not be kept out of the Lokpal's jurisdiction."

Shedding further light on what happened at the All-party meet, the senior BJP leader quoted Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley to say that the bill in its present form needs to be "completely overhauled".

The former deputy Prime Minister said, "He wished to emphasise that the ministerial draft would make Lokpal a pliable government person. When government introduces the Lokpal bill in Parliament, let the present draft be completely overhauled."

Advani's views have come at an interesting time when his party has reserved its opinion on the Lokpal Bill. While Advani might no longer see himself as another Prime Ministerial candidate, the BJP it seems doesn't want to be bring its future candidates for the coveted post under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill.

OneIndia News