New Delhi:
Amid much pressure from activist Anna Hazare, the government tabled the Lokpal Bill in Parliament this winter session. However, the bill was passed only in the Lok Sabha where the government has a majority. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned without a vote on the bill. Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, in an exclusive interview to NDTV, says the government can pass the bill later with consensus and that the Opposition cannot insist on a particular legislation of the bill.
Here are the highlights of his interview:
- Govt can pass Lokpal Bill later with consensus
- We could have made changes to Lokpal Bill after passing it
- Can't make snide comments on Rajya Sabha Chairperson
- Chairperson can be fair to Opposition but doesn't have to listen to them
- Opposition can't insist on a particular legislation
- Can't have Opposition pick up a ball and run
- Not concerned about Mamata, we should respect her political space