Samajwadi Party may vote against Lokpal Bill in RS

New Delhi, Dec 29: The Samajwadi Party, which has 5 MPs, and RJD with 4 MPs may vote against the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Dec 29. Party sources said its 22 MPs, who walked out of the Loksabha before voting on the Lokpal Bill on Tuesday, Dec 27 said that their MPs may vote against the measure in the Upper House on Dec 29.

Like SP, if BSP with 18 MPs and RJD with 4 MPs also oppose the Bill and if decide to vote against it, then the government will have serious concerns over the fate of the bill's passage.

In the 243-member Rajya Sabha, Congress and its allies do not not have a majority with its number placed at 92 and needs the support of the MPs of these parties supporting the government from outside. At least a walk out by them could help the government but not not a vote against. RJD sources said the bill was "doomed" because "nobody" wants it and the party may also vote against it.

BSP leader in Rajya Sabha Satish Chandra Mishra said the party has not not taken a final decision and its strategy will be revealed at the time of voting in the House. But to say that the party MPs will walk out of the House is wrong, he said.

PTI