Lokpal Bill: What Left, BJP, Lalu said in Parliament

Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy introduces the Lokpal Bill. 

Pranab Mukherjee: Fact of the matter is several governments at several time have tried to bring an effective Lokpal to deal with corruption in high places. As far as current events are concerned, some members are saying "Jaldbaazi mat karo."  Civil society started agitation. Government appointed committee to work with reps of civil society. Four meetings of all political parties took place. Various parties gave their view. On August 27, there was discussion in both houses. It is not undue haste. There may have been some mismatch in normal legislative proceedings in terms of delays in submitting business and order of the day.  (On the re-insertion of quota for minorities). Original provision was to include minorities. Then we consulted with some parties. Question was raised about constitutional validity- is it legally tenable? After reflection, we decided let judiciary decide if it will be constitutionally valid. 543 members of this house will decide on what is fate of the Lokpal.  All of you will collectively decide what you want to have.  If you feel it is not necessary, we will not have it.  Legislation is right of Parliament.  It cannot be done on the streets or on ear of agitation. But in August, you expressed your support (referring to Sense of the House) -that was the wish of the House. Whole country is looking at us for what type of Lokpal we are going to have.  If you have objections, disagree or change it.  But I request you to allow the Bill to be introduced and to put the motion to vote.

Gurudas Dasgupta:  Better late than never. No government had sought to enact such a Bill.  Country has been waiting for this legislation for such a long time. But let us not do it under duress. Let us not  surrender the supremacy of Parliament. Leader of the House is referring to an impending phase of agitation. Is it fair? We are not fighting corruption on our own. We are doing it because someone else is threatening. I appeal to Congress and government - under no circumstances, sovereignty of Parliament is to be surrendered  Having said so, there are concerns.  Bill is being sought to be introduced in unusual haste.  This is parliamentary mismanagement.  And government is acting in panic.  We are not operating in fear of anybody- least of all, an  ex-policeman,  an ex-bureaucrat, least of all a man who pretends to be another father of the nation. There is only one father of the nation: Mahatma Gandhi.  There is no single crusader against corruption.  Please don't be afraid of another hunger strike. 

Yashwant Sinha of BJP: We have been waiting since this morning for the bill.  Government is seeking to amend the bill to introduce quota for minorities through inappropriate means.  If you have the guts, wait- when the bill comes, move an official amendment. See if it goes through.  Government has shown monumental inefficiency with this bill.  What you are trying is blackmail.

Sushma Swaraj: Country has been waiting for so long for a strong Lokpal Bill to be introduced and passed

Sushma Swaraj: But the way in which the Bill has been brought to us is very disappointing. I will discuss that on December 27 during the actual debate on the Bill

Sushma Swaraj: Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that reservation cannot cross 50%

Sushma Swaraj: This bill sets apart quota for "not less than 50%" of its members for women, SC/STS, OBCs

Sushma Swaraj: There are 9 members - so it suggests reservation for 5 members

Sushma Swaraj: So if we go with this Bill, it will be struck down in seconds as unconstitutional.

Sushma Swaraj: This language is not acceptable

Sushma Swaraj:  Bill violates federal principles as well

Sushma Swaraj: Bill should not be tabled today

Pranab Mukherjee: Let the bill be introduced and let us have discussion on it. You are entitled to object to content, but let us table the bill.  Let this house not take the role of judiciary.  House has legislative right to introduce this bill. This bill is attracting the nation's attention. This is not just a simple legislation.

Lalu Prasad Yadav: Want to thank government for bringing back minority quota.  But don't rush us. It is our job to pass or not pass this.  Tomorrow, someone else orders us, and treats us like slaves, warns that he will get protests organized outside homes of Sonia, Rahul Gandhi and other leaders.  This is not correct.  Country should be run by authority and right, not by agitation.  Why has Bill allowed complaints against ex-MPs? Even Team Anna has not asked for it. A social activist, two lawyers, and a handful of people are dictating terms to Parliament.  Don't give in and operate under the fear of a threatened agitation.  This is not a strong Lokpal Bill. Keep the PM out of the Bill.  There is no need to include the PM.  You send this bill to a standing committee.  We gave you our suggestions at the all-party meeting.  Don't pass this bill under pressure, the nation will never forgive you.  They have called us thieves and traitors. I was born in 1948.  Before I arrived, the British ran away (Sonia Gandhi seen laughing).  Do not give an inch of the CBI to the Lokpal.  Bring a good Bill.  Convince us to pass it.  We win our seats with a lot of difficulty.    Not just politicians and bureaucrats but those who light and hold candles, let them also be answerable.  We are not opposed to a Lokpal, as some say.  But redo it and bring it back. What face will we show to the world if our PM faces complaints? There will be so many politically motivated complaints against him.