Sibal-Sushma spar over Lokpal Bill in Lok Sabha

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj demanded that the Lokpal Bill should be sent back to Parliamentary Standing Committee, claiming that there were several flaws and inconsistencies in the proposed legislation; the Government countered it by saying that it was a perfect Bill and will be able to tackle corruption.

When Sibal started responding to the Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj's objections to the Bill, he was interrupted by Opposition MPs. Sibal, however, said, "If the Bill is passed, it will be a historical moment, but if it is delayed, people won't forgive the ones interrupting."

Responding to Sushma Swaraj's objections that the Bill violated the federal structure, Sibal quoted Article 252 of the Constitution saying that it talks of criminality and criminal charges and not of corruption.

Sibal also accused the BJP of not being keen on getting the Lokpal Bill passed. "It is a political conspiracy. The BJP does not want the Lokpal Bill to be cleared," Sibal said in the Lok Sabha.

He claimed that the BJP was speaking in different languages and was itself confused on its stand on the Lokpal Bill. "The BJP's dissent note to Standing the Committee was different. Sushma is now talking about something else," Sibal said.

Sibal also attacked the BJP over the corruption cases against the party's leaders in Karnataka. "The BJP attacks the government on corruption in Parliament, but embraces corruption in states, Karnataka is a case in point here. What happened in Karnataka should be an eye opener for the BJP," Sibal said, following which there was an uproar in the House.

Attacking the BJP for not bringing Lokayuktas in its states, Sibal said, "The BJP blames others for its corruption. Who is stopping the BJP from bringing strong Lokayuktas in states, why has it not done so yet?"

Responding to the BJP's objection to the issue of reservation in the Lokpal, Sibal said there was nothing unconstitutional about it. "The Lokpal is not a government job to say that the minority quota is wrong," Sibal said. "The Bill has to be inclusive to be fair to all sections," he added.

Defending the selection and appointment procedure of the Lokpal, Sibal said, "The government will choose the right people from all sections. The government does not want a body which is not answerable to anybody."

Sibal also challenged the BJP to bring strong Lokayuktas in its states, following which Sushma Swaraj agitatedly made statement, saying, "We will pass a strong Lokpal and a strong Lokayukta."

Defending the government over the CBI's autonomy, Sibal said that CBI director has administrative independence and any inquiry conducted by the agency will be free from political pressure."

This came after Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj demanded that the Lokpal Bill should be withdrawn, claiming that there were flaws and inconsistencies in the proposed legislation to deal with corruption.

Showing dissent over the government's Lokpal draft, she had said, "It can't go against the basic structures of the Constitution. This bill is talking of Lokpal and Lokayukta both. State employees will be looked after by Lokyukta. The bill can't force states to follow the diktat of the Centre."

On the provision of the minority quota in Lokpal, she had said, "50 per cent reservation provision in the Bill is against the Supreme Court's verdict on reservation. There is no reservation for constitutional posts."

"Reservation based on religion has also been introduced. It is not acceptable. Without reservation, many people from minority community have held the highest positions in India. Of 12 Presidents, 4 Presidents were from minority communities," she said.

"Five Chief Justices were also from minority communities. Religious Quota will divide the nation," she added.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasamy moved the Lokpal Bill for discussion in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, but was interrupted by RJD chief Lalu Prasad who said that the Lokpal legislation violates the federal structure.