Lokpal fate to be decided;all versions to be debated in Parl

New Delhi, Aug 26: With the Anna Hazare fast grabbing media headlines and sending the UPA government in a tizzy, hectic last minute parleys seem to have indicated an end to the logjam. Sources have revealed that Parliament will discuss and debate all versions of the Lokpal Bill. Anna Hazare backed Jan Lokpal Bill is also to be discussed.

The debate is expected to be held in Parliament post-noon on Friday. Sources from the Anna camp indicated that Anna Hazare will end his fast when the resolution is passed in Parliament towards a strong Lokpal Bill.

With multiple voices urging Anna Hazare to call off his fast, the Gandhian seem to be determined to take the effort to a logical end. The Prime Minister too urged the 74-year-old Hazare to call off his fast and has been quoted as saying, "We will find effective ways and means to discuss Jan Lokpal Bill along with the Government's version of the Bill, along with Aruna Roy's and Jayaprakash Narayan's. All ideas should be discussed and debated to get best possible bill to help us deal with corruption."

But the UPA is miffed over Team Anna's meeting with top BJP leaders late last night. In a response to reporters, BJP President Nitin Gadkari and Opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley also vowed to support the Jan Lokpal Bill. Arvind Kejriwal also commented on the meet, "We have met senior BJP leaders. We have given some clarifications on Jan Lokpal Bill and they broadly agree with our position." Top BJP leader, Sushma Swaraj also commented, "We shall do everything to bring a strong Lokpal Bill."

Union Law Minister Salman Khursheed commented on the issue, "Parliament will debate on the lines of what the Prime Minister said in the House today (Thursday). Other civil society bills will be discussed and then it will be send to Standing Committee where changes will be made. We want unanimity on the Bill."

The debate for the resolution will be conducted under Rule 184. This will be followed by a voting on a motion moved with the Speaker's consent. On the other hand, if the discussion is conducted under Rule 193, there will be a short duration debate without voting.

But the exact form and the content on the proposed Lokpal Bill resolution in Parliament is still not clear.

OneIndia News