Support in Parliament for Anna but not his Bill

The people may have decided to go for Jan Lokpal Bill but their representatives in Parliament, barring a few, are yet to take a call on this.

For the last one week, Parliament could not function properly as the Government was on the back foot defending and changing its decisions, while the Opposition as well as the parties supporting the Government from outside were trying to outdo one other in showing support for Anna and his cause.

Nine non-UPA and non-NDA parties have taken the lead within the political system to go for organising support for Anna Hazare by calling for an all-India protest on August 23.

But some MPs also have different ideas.

First it was the East Delhi MP and son of the Chief Minister of Delhi, Mr Sandeep Dikshit, who said it was a mistake to arrest Anna Hazare.

Then, Mr Varun Gandhi, the BJP MP from Pilibhit, said he would introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill as private member's Bill.

So far, only his grandfather, the late Feroz Gandhi, has managed to get a private member Bill converted into law.

That was in 1956. Mr Varun may not have the same luck.

Mustering support from fellow MPs on the Jan Lokpal Bill is not easy because no political party has taken a stand on it.

But, even if he manages to get support, Mr Varun Gandhi might have to wait till the winter session to bring the Bill. This is because a month's notice has to be given for any private member's Bill. The current session ends on September 8.

The independent MP, Mr Rajiv Chandrashekhar, has also indicated his intention to bring Jan Lokpal Bill as private member Bill in the Rajya Sabha. It is not known if he has given notice.

Another Congress MP, Mr Praveen Singh Aron, (Bareilly) has submitted a copy of Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill to the parliamentary standing committee.

He also wants to make an oral submission before the committee headed by fellow Congressman, Mr Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Meanwhile, the BJP and its allies, the Left Front, RashtriyaJananta Dal, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and a number of others have out come in support of Anna – but not in support of his Jan Lok Pal Bill. A senior leader of the BJP, Mr Shanawaz Hussain, made it clear that his party will not go for Jan Lokpal Bill.

There are also unconfirmed reports that some parties are contemplating to seek withdrawal of Lokpal Bill.

After the PM's offer of talks, the Power Minister, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, has offered to talk to Anna provided the PM so desires.

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