New Delhi, December 20
Union Minister for Railways Laloo Prasad Yadav is determined on derailing the much-delayed Lok Pal Bill. At a Cabinet meeting held last Friday, Laloo, according to authoritative sources, was belligerent about the fact that politicians and ministers already faced much scrutiny under Acts such as the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Laloo was clear that despite the United Progressive Alliance’s commitment that the Bill will be made a reality, he was of the view that it took political accountability too far. In fact rather than there being a unanimous position on the issue, the Cabinet itself seemed divided with ministers of different parties holding divergent views.
Sources said that Laloo apparently quipped that “tell the world that “Laloo and Balu (reference to T.R. Balu) are on the same side”. Ironically, the Communications Minister, Mr Dayanidihi Maran, seemed to have weighed in with the view that the Bill should become an Act. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh seemed worried about the fact that if the Bill did not become an Act it would seem as if the government was reneging on a commitment they had made.
Certain, members were of the view that there should be similar accountability for other parts of the system such as the judiciary but felt that it was outside the purview of the present Bill.
The division that has emerged in the Cabinet spearheaded by Laloo is interesting since before it came into office the alliance had sworn to bring in the Bill. In addition, the Left Front might take a dim view of the development since it is also part of the common minimum programme.
Analysts say that the Lok Pal Bill, which had similarly been deferred by the NDA Government on numerous occasions, is something that all politicians piously swear by but are loath to implement when in office. During the NDA government’s tenure, a controversy had arisen over whether the Prime Minister should come under the purview of the Bill.
Decisions taken by this government earlier reported by The Tribune such as allowing the Bofors case to lapse and not winding up investigations against Gandhi family loyalist Satish Sharma are telling, say observers. While no final decision was taken, the Lok Pal Bill is unlikely to become a reality soon.
