Click to play videoNew Delhi: Leader of the Lok Sabha and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee concluded the debate on the Lokpal Bill by targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying that it had opposed the dialogue with Anna Hazare and his associates, but later on shared the stage with him.
Pointing out that the Lokpal Bill was prepared after consultations with the civial society and political parties, Mukherjee said that the Government received different opinions from different parties.
"Some wanted a debate with civil society. Some did not. The Prime Minister thought that it was right to enter into a dialogue with the civil society and he selected five ministers including me," he said pointing towards the BJP MPs. He said that recommendations put forwarded by Team Anna and other civil society were debated by Parliament Standing Committee.
Refuting the allegations that the Government was hastening the Bill, Mukherjee said that the UPA wanted to convey the message that it should take action on the issue of corruption.
"We shared details with everybody in the last all-party meeting. We discussed all 10 items on 14 December," he said.
He said that there was nothing wrong in Team Anna staging a protest while Parliament was debating the Lokpal Bill.
"We have debating it for the past six months while the country is discussing this outside Parliament," he added.
Advising the BJP to remain patient, Mukherjee said that he has been dealing with allies for a long time and the BJP should not teach how to run a coalition government.
"The Prime Minister did not give his farewell speech. We have two and a half years left...The BJP is in a hurry," said Mukherjee.
"Parliament is meant for debate and discussions, not for disruption," he said.
Mukherjee further said, "Inclusion of Lokayukta was decided on August 27 and the pros and cons were debated. Independent institutions have enriched democracy. Democracy has survived because of the strength of institutions."
Talking on the issue of state Lokayuktas, Mukherjee said that the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill is not the best.
He further said without the consent of the state governments, the State Lokayukta Bills will not be implemented.
"We are bringing the amendments," said Mukherjee.
Saying that armed forces will not cone under the ambit of the Lokpal, Mukherjee said, "Armed forces are covered under other acts."
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