BJP, Lalu protest as Lokpal Bill debate begins

New Delhi: The debate over the Lokpal Bill began in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Union MoS in the PMO V Narayanasamy moved the Bill in the Lok Sabha. Narayanasamy said, "There is a need for the Legislation of Lokpal. 2010 AICC session gave a clear signal to it. We removed discretionary powers of ministers."

Earlier, it was reported that the debate will start at 2 PM.

Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav protested the delay of the Lokpal debate. Then, Congress leader Pawan Bansal rushed to the Prime Minister to work out a solution. After meeting the Prime Minister, Bansal announced that the meeting will start soon.

Before the start of the debate, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, "We are confident of passing the bill. If we were not confident we wouldn't have brought the bill."

Both RJD and BJP have shown dissent over the government's Lokpal draft, saying it has lot of shortcomings.

RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said, "This bill is an attack on the federal structure, it seems the rights of states have been encroached upon."

BJP Spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "There are lot of shortcomings to the bill."

Earlier, Congress leader Salman Khurshid, SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Lalu Yadav met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee for floor strategy talks.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said, "We all want to get rid of corruption. Constitution has given Supremacy to Parliament. This supremacy is not just in terms of powers but also in terms of responsibilities.

Following is the Parliament Schedule for December 27, 2011:

Lok Sabha: 1. Obituary Reference 2. Prevention of Money-Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2011 3. Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2011 (Amendment of Part VI of Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950) 4. Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2011. 5. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research Bill, 2011 6. Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 and Constitution (One Hundred and Sixteenth Amendment) Bill, 2011 (Insertion of new Part XIVB) 7. Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosures Bill, 2010 8. Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010 and Constitution (One Hundred and Fourteenth Amendment) Bill, 2010 (Amendment of articles 217 and 224).

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