Parliament passes Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare celebrates

A day after the Rajya Sabha passed the Lokpal bill on Tuesday, the bill has come up for discussion in Lok Sabha. The bill is expected to be passed smoothly as both the UPA and the NDA are in its favour. Here are the highlights of the discussion in Lok Sabha:

1.21 pm: “People trying to misuse my name must not be allowed to be attached with this movement,” says Anna Hazare. He further said that now there was need to involve more people at national people to create a watchdog, which would ensure that the law is enforced at all levels.

1.12 pm: Reacting to the passage of Lokpal Bill by Parliament, anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare thanked all the lawmakers for ensuring a smooth passage of the bill. He said that the MPs had taken a strong step to combat corruption. Anna also thanked the select committee on behalf of the people.

Anna further said that the government must now ensure that the bill becomes a law before the Elections Commission puts model code of conduct in place.

1.05 pm: Speaking to television news channel, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member Prashant Bhushan has criticised the Lokpal Bill which has been passed by Parliament. He said that the bill that has been passed will not be able to solve the purpose as it is not strong. According to Bhushan, the parties were compelled to pass a Lokpal Bill in haste because of the emergence of the Aam Aadmi Party.

12.53 pm: The Lok Sabha has passed the Lokpal Bill. As soon as the Parliament passed the bill, celebrations began in Ralegan Siddhi with Anna Hazare waving the Tricolour in the backdrop of patriotic songs.

12.41 pm: Samajwadi Party stages walkout in Lok Sabha in protest against Lokpal Bill.

12.34 pm: Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh raises his voice against Lokpal bill, saying it will create a culture of fear in the country. He said that the bill would allow a simple constable to question the Prime Minister and other leaders who have been elected by lakhs of people.

Hitting out at the BJP, Mulayam said that for some unknown reason, the opposition is toeing the line of the government.

12.30 pm: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi speaks in favour of Lokpal Bill and says that it is important to pass it with majority. He also urged Speaker Meira Kumar to extend the Winter Session to ensure passage of other important bills.

12.20 pm: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, speaks about the stand of the BJP on Lokpal Bill, asserting that her party is in favour of a strong Lokpal.

Hitting out at the Congress-led UPA, she said that there was a race for taking the credit for passage of Lokpal Bill. She added that the credit goes to none but Anna Hazare and people of this country.