Lokpal in Parliament; will Anna's fast be called off today?

New Delhi, Aug 27: With the Lokpal Bill debate scheduled to be conducted in Parliament on Saturday (Aug 27), both warring parties, the government and Team Anna hope to achieve a consensus on the many contentious topics. The fact that Gandhian Anna Hazare is on his 12th day of fast has also expedited the dialogue process.

Anna-backed Jan Lokpal Bill will also be discussed along with three sticky points of contention.

With various versions of the Lokpal Bill making their debut, late Friday evening saw Former Election Commissioner TN Seshan too coming up with his own draft of the Lokpal Bill. This bill is believed to be drafted on the lines of Rahul Gandhi's "game-changer" idea in Parliament.

The debate to be held in Parliament today at 11am is crucial to understand the fate of the Lokpal Bill. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is understood to make a statement ahead of the debate in Parliament. The stand the Congress will take on the 3 points of contention is eagerly awaited.

Salman Khursheed, Union Law Minister was quoted as saying late last night, "There are no commitments, only a hope that once Parliament debates these issues, Anna will call off his fast."

With the 74-year-old Anna's health raising serious concerns, he was still adamant that if the resolution on the 3 points is passed in Parliament, he will end his fast. The points of contention are the inclusion of the lower bureaucracy, a Lokpal-like act for state Lokayuktas and setting up of citizens charter.

Further mounting the pressure on the UPA, the Opposition BJP's unbridled support for the Anna Hazare campaign has also not gone down well. Now the BJP is stressing for a vote on the Lokpal debate in Parliament. The UPA, however wants to put the Bill under discussion without voting.

OneIndia News