The divergent views in the political spectrum on the contentious issue of whether or not the Prime Minister should be within the ambit of the Lokpal is expected to come to the fore on July 3.
The government has decided to call an all-party meeting on that date to discuss the two drafts, one prepared by the government and the other by civil society members, on the proposed Lokpal Bill. The meeting is expected to be held at the Prime Minister’s 7, Race Course Road residence.
While political parties are divided on this issue, the DMK is perhaps the only UPA ally that wants the PM to be within the jurisdiction of the Lokpal Bill when it become law. Barring the DMK, the Congress-led UPA is one in opposing this.
The main Opposition BJP is not emphatic on this issue but its ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal, is opposed to the PM’s inclusion while Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray is reported to have questioned the need for a Lokpal Bill when the four pillars of democracy —the Legislature, Executive, Judiciary and Press — are working independently.
A leader of the AIADMK on Wednesday said his party is with the civil society group on the issue. The DMK’s position on the issue is a big joke, he viewed.
The CPI(M) is clear in its stand that the PM should be under the purview of the Lokpal. The Janata Dal (U) and Janata Dal (S) are of the same view. But the BSP, the BJD and other regional parties have yet to spell out their stands.
The Congress will support the government’s Lokpal Bill. While Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit has opposed the inclusion of the PM, the Congress chief ministers will back the government bill on this issue.
After nine meetings spread over months, the civil society government teams had failed on Tuesday to arrive at a common draft of the bill. The drafts of the government and civil society sides will be circulated among political parties at the meeting before being taken up by the Union Cabinet.
The government draft has ruled out scrutiny of the Prime Minister, higher judiciary and conduct of MPs in Parliament by the Lokpal. However, it proposes several critical powers, such as conferring quasi-judicial status on the Lokpal besides powers to attach assets and independent prosecution and investigation machinery with full police powers.