The numbers that will affect the Lokpal Debate
Lok Sabha Strength
The UPA has 287 members in the Lok Sabha, which is good enough to pass the Lokpal Bill. Along with the Congress's 207 members, the UPA has parties like the DMK, TMC, NCP, National Conference and the Rashtriya Lok Dal to support it. On its own the government has the simple majority in the House. The UPA can also count on the support of the Samajwadi Party, the BSP and the Rashtriya Janta Dal which is giving the government outside support in Parliament.
The NDA, including the BJP's 115 MPs has 150 members in the lower House. Independents, the Left and other smaller parties have a numerical strength of 79.
Rajya Sabha Strength
The government is in a poor state in the Rajya Sabha and that is where the real battle for passing the Lokpal Bill will be fought. The UPA, including 71 members of the Congress has 94 members, which is far short of a simple majority. Even outside support of the BSP, the RJD and the SP promises it only 27 more members. The combined strength of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, including the NDA and the Left is 136.
Party Position as on Dec 27,2011
Note - Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India(these members are known as nominated members)Terms of office are six years, with one third of the members retiring every two years.Vice President of India is the Chairman of the RS and Dy.Chairman is elected from amongst its members, takes care of the day-to-day matters of the house in the absence of the Chairman.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasamy moved the Lokpal Bill for discussion in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday Dec 27,2011, but was interrupted by RJD chief Lalu Prasad who said that the Lokpal legislation violates the federal structure.
Oppn wants 56 changes as Lok Sabha opens bill debate
BJP MP and Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj demanded that the Lokpal Bill should be withdrawn, claiming that there were flaws and inconsistencies in the proposed legislation to deal with corruption. "The Bill should be withdrawn. No need to pass it in a hurry. Send it back to the Standing Committee. Reintroduce it after 3-4 months.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."
Responding to Sushma Swaraj's objections that the Bill violated the federal structure, Kapil Sibal quoted Article 252 of the Constitution saying that it talks of criminality and criminal charges and not of corruption.Kapil Sibal also accused the BJP of not being keen on getting the Lokpal Bill passed.
Defending the selection and appointment procedure of the Lokpal, Kapil 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."
Defending the government over the CBI's autonomy,Kapil Sibal said that CBI director has administrative independence and any inquiry conducted by the agency will be free from political pressure."
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2:15 pm after Sibal's speech.
JD(U) Chief Sharad Yadav took a dig at the government in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday Dec 27,2011, saying that the Lokpal Bill brought by the government cannot curb corruption. Sharad Yadav said that the government should improve the Lokpal Bill rather than saying that the Supreme Court will decide. Sharad Yadav questioned, "Does Sibal think that people will not understand his game?"
Citing the example of the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, Sharad Yadav said, "The Bihar government should be an example to those who want to make anti-corruption laws."
Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday Dec 27,2011 said "Lokpal Bill will not end corruption. Bill lacks so many things. Democracy is bigger than the Lokpal. Parliament represents the aspirations of people. Nothing can be above it. MPs fear people. Because they get elected by them,"
Several parties, including BJP, BJD, JDU, RJD, SP, TDP and Left said that the bill was weak and wanted it withdrawn. However, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee rejected the contention that the legislation had been brought in "haste" or under pressure.
UPA Allies Discordant Note on Lokpal
UPA partners, Trinamool Congress(TMC) and DMK struck a discordant note saying the Lokpal Bill provisions to create Lokayuktas would encroach upon the rights of the states.
"Don't undermine the rights of the state legislatures. Does the present legislation not take away the rights of the states?" Trinamool Congress(TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee asked.
DMK leader TKS Elangovan asked the Centre to keep the law-making powers of the states with them and protect their rights. "Please ensure that the law-making power to create the Lokayuktas remain with the states,"
Voting on the Lokpal Bill
Lok Sabha Passes Lokpal Bill 2011 by Voice Vote
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday night passed the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2011 with amendments by a voice vote following a day-long stormy debate in Parliament.
Of the ten amendments moved by the government, seven have been accepted by Lok Sabha.
Members of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party today Dec 27,2011staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha shortly before the voting on the Lokpal Bill tonight in protest against Government bringing a "weak" legislation.
Asked why did he not protest against the bill in the House by voting against it, Yadav said, "We don't want to support the BJP."
BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan said the party MPs walked out of the House in protest against Government's refusal to accept their demand of bringing the CBI under the Lokpal.
Note: This is the 9th Lokpal Bill introduced by the government in a series that started as early as 1968 and ended in 2001.7of them lapsed with the dissolution of the Lok Sabha while one was withdrawn
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