In a determined bid to corner the government on the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill when it comes up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the main Opposition BJP on Wednesday held consultations not only with other Opposition parties, including the Left, BJD, TDP, AIADMK, but also with UPA’s ally Trinamul Congress.
In all these consultations, the BJP, it was learnt, stressed on the provision of appointing Lokayuktas in states under the Central legislation by using Article 253 of the Constitution. The party claimed that the proposed law “violates” the federal principal of the Constitution and instead wants it under Article 252. The party also maintained that as the government did not heed to this demand of the Opposition on Tuesday, the government failed to get the required numbers to get the Constitutional amendment bill passed in the Lok Sabha. It however, insisted that the BJP is not against Lokapl getting a Constitutional status.
On Thursday, the BJP is likely to move amendments to press for establishing Lokayuktas under Article 252, reservation for minorities, change in the provisions of appointment and removal of Lokpal and to free CBI of government control.
While Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley met Trinamul MPs on Wednesday, other floor managers of the party held parleys with the Opposition parties including BJD, TDP, AIADMK and AGP.