Lokpal Bill: NDA to attend all-party meet
NEW DELHI: After considering the option of declining the government's invitation to an all-party meeting on the Lokpal bill, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance on Saturday decided to attend the deliberation although one constituent, the Shiv Sena, will keep away.
BJP worked out divisions within as one section did not want to attend the meeting in the light of government's refusal to engage with the Opposition on the proposed anti-corruption watchdog. BJP had expressed its disappointment with the absence of any Opposition representation on the government-civil society joint drafting committee.
Senior BJP leader L K Advani announced the NDA decision after discussions at his residence, saying Sunday's meeting was the first time when the government had invited the Opposition for a discussion on Lokpal having failed in its attempt to work out differences with the Anna Hazare group.
While not in a hurry to bail out the government over its Lokpal dilemma with Hazare threatening to renew his fast on August 16 if a law is not legislated by then, the NDA meeting felt the alliance could appear obdurate and obstructionist if it kept away from Sunday's deliberations and that the government's views must be heard.
Sources said BJP may not open its cards on contentious issues like inclusion of the Prime Minister, higher judiciary and conduct of MPs in Parliament as part of the proposed Lokpal's ambit although it has said it supports a strong anti-corruption ombudsman. BJP has emphasized the need for an effective mechanism for the Lokpal's appointment as well. The party will respond to some aspects of the proposed law but insist the government first present a final draft.
The Sena claimed it was yet to study the Lokpal proposals and BJP leaders said the party was not clear about its position on key issues. Sena had initially supported the Hazare campaign but words were later exchanged with party supremo Bal Thackeray alleging that corporates were funding the Gandhian.
NDA partners Shiromani Akali Dal and JD(U) have been in favour of attending the all-party meeting and the NDA is expected to hear what the government has to say ahead of the Parliament session. It is clear from BJP's interaction with the Hazare group on Friday that the party is not in sync with several core objectives the civil society activists are rooting for.
BJP worked out divisions within as one section did not want to attend the meeting in the light of government's refusal to engage with the Opposition on the proposed anti-corruption watchdog. BJP had expressed its disappointment with the absence of any Opposition representation on the government-civil society joint drafting committee.
Senior BJP leader L K Advani announced the NDA decision after discussions at his residence, saying Sunday's meeting was the first time when the government had invited the Opposition for a discussion on Lokpal having failed in its attempt to work out differences with the Anna Hazare group.
While not in a hurry to bail out the government over its Lokpal dilemma with Hazare threatening to renew his fast on August 16 if a law is not legislated by then, the NDA meeting felt the alliance could appear obdurate and obstructionist if it kept away from Sunday's deliberations and that the government's views must be heard.
Sources said BJP may not open its cards on contentious issues like inclusion of the Prime Minister, higher judiciary and conduct of MPs in Parliament as part of the proposed Lokpal's ambit although it has said it supports a strong anti-corruption ombudsman. BJP has emphasized the need for an effective mechanism for the Lokpal's appointment as well. The party will respond to some aspects of the proposed law but insist the government first present a final draft.
The Sena claimed it was yet to study the Lokpal proposals and BJP leaders said the party was not clear about its position on key issues. Sena had initially supported the Hazare campaign but words were later exchanged with party supremo Bal Thackeray alleging that corporates were funding the Gandhian.
NDA partners Shiromani Akali Dal and JD(U) have been in favour of attending the all-party meeting and the NDA is expected to hear what the government has to say ahead of the Parliament session. It is clear from BJP's interaction with the Hazare group on Friday that the party is not in sync with several core objectives the civil society activists are rooting for.
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