BJP and CPI for amendments to lokpal

BJP has said it will press for amendments and support parties seeking changes in the proposed legislation if there is common ground. Terming the Lokpal Bill introduced in Lok Sabha on 22nd December as a weak bill, BJP's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha S S Ahluwalia said the party supports a strong Lokpal Bill and for an improved version of it, the party has moved certain amendments. "While initiating the debate, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj will elaborately discuss the amendments and then during the day, before conclusion of the debate, we will take a final call. If we find that amendments moved by other parties or members are in common with those moved by BJP, we will support them," Ahluwalia told reporters after the BJP parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting chaired by BJP parliamentary party Chairman L K Advani was also attended by Sushma Swaraj and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley. Observing that the present bill will be "ultimately unable to combat corruption", Ahluwalia said, "BJP is in favour of a strong and improved bill." Meanwhile, senior party leader M Venkaiah Naidu said the bill in the present form is not acceptable and the party will formulate its stand depending on the situation. He was non committal about the party's support to the Government in Rajya Sabha, if Lok Sabha clears the bill. "It depends how the Government responds to the suggestions," Naidu said when asked whether the party would help Government pass the bill in Rajya Sabha as it did not have majority in the Upper House. "If the Government responds positively, we will act accordingly. As of now, it is one of the weakest bills," he said. CPI to move amendments The CPI has said the Lokpal Bill in the present form was not adequately strong and it has decided to move a few amendments to strengthen it. "Lokpal Bill in the present form is not to our satisfaction. It is not adequately strong. That is why we along with other Left parties are moving amendments to strengthen the Bill," CPI leader D Raja told reporters outside Parliament House on Tuesday. Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2011 was taken up in Lok Sabha for consideration and passing of the same. Raja said, "There are a few significant amendments primarily related to CBI and one is also Lokauykta. Our stand is that nothing should be done to undermine the federal structure of the government. Nothing should be done to encroach upon state's power." On CBI, he said, "We are for CBI to be free from political interference and government control and at the same time CBI as an investigating agency should be made accountable to some authority."