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Sibal ‘totters’ on Lokpal Bill specifics in ‘attack’PNS n New Delhi
HRD Minister Kapil Sibal defended the Government version of the Lokpal Bill by launching a rhetorical attack against the BJP but failed to counter specific issues raised by Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj on the Constitutional infirmities and inherent weakness of the anti-graft legislation.
Responding to Swaraj’s charge about Government bringing an ineffective Bill, Sibal said her contentions were flawed and blamed the BJP of using technicalities to block the passage of the Bill.
Accusing the main Opposition of patronising corruption in States and pointing fingers at the Centre, the Minister taunted Swaraj over Lokayukta’s case against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and controversy surrounding the appointment of Lokayukta in BJP-ruled Gujarat.
“The country is watching you more carefully than us. We have brought the Lokpal Bill, rest is up to you. If you do not pass it, you will find yourself in a lot of trouble,” Sibal told Swaraj.
He countered the Opposition leader’s claim that the Bill dealt a blow to the federal structure of the Constitution and asserted the Centre had powers to create legislations for States. “If you oppose the Lokpal model for States, you are violating the Sense of the House and for this also, the country will not forgive you,” he told Swaraj, adding, “Their strategy is to work with Anna, go to States and say the Government does not want a tough Lokpal Bill, this is their strategy for the elections.”
He said whether the Lokayukta provision should be brought in under Article 252 or 253 should be decided by the courts. Asserting that nobody was stopping BJP from appointing Lokayuktas in States where it is in power, he maintained that the institution of Lokayukta in these States was weak as the person is appointed by the Chief Minister.
“For the past nine years, the Gujarat Government has not appointed Lokayukta... Why have you not appointed Lokayukta in Gujarat,” Sibal said, charging that the Opposition wants to “embrace” corruption in States.
He also justified minority reservation in Lokpal. “BJP says more than 16 crore minorities cannot find a place or representation on the Lokpal. Minorities must have representation, this is justice,” Sibal said.
HRD Minister Kapil Sibal defended the Government version of the Lokpal Bill by launching a rhetorical attack against the BJP but failed to counter specific issues raised by Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj on the Constitutional infirmities and inherent weakness of the anti-graft legislation.
Responding to Swaraj’s charge about Government bringing an ineffective Bill, Sibal said her contentions were flawed and blamed the BJP of using technicalities to block the passage of the Bill.
Accusing the main Opposition of patronising corruption in States and pointing fingers at the Centre, the Minister taunted Swaraj over Lokayukta’s case against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and controversy surrounding the appointment of Lokayukta in BJP-ruled Gujarat.
“The country is watching you more carefully than us. We have brought the Lokpal Bill, rest is up to you. If you do not pass it, you will find yourself in a lot of trouble,” Sibal told Swaraj.
He countered the Opposition leader’s claim that the Bill dealt a blow to the federal structure of the Constitution and asserted the Centre had powers to create legislations for States. “If you oppose the Lokpal model for States, you are violating the Sense of the House and for this also, the country will not forgive you,” he told Swaraj, adding, “Their strategy is to work with Anna, go to States and say the Government does not want a tough Lokpal Bill, this is their strategy for the elections.”
He said whether the Lokayukta provision should be brought in under Article 252 or 253 should be decided by the courts. Asserting that nobody was stopping BJP from appointing Lokayuktas in States where it is in power, he maintained that the institution of Lokayukta in these States was weak as the person is appointed by the Chief Minister.
“For the past nine years, the Gujarat Government has not appointed Lokayukta... Why have you not appointed Lokayukta in Gujarat,” Sibal said, charging that the Opposition wants to “embrace” corruption in States.
He also justified minority reservation in Lokpal. “BJP says more than 16 crore minorities cannot find a place or representation on the Lokpal. Minorities must have representation, this is justice,” Sibal said.
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