Cautioning government not to go ahead with its “weak” and “phoney” Lokpal and Lokayuktas bill without including amendments by Opposition parties, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley on Thursday appealed that a “subservient Lokpal” should not be set up in any condition.

Initiating debate in the Rajya Sabha on the issue, the senior BJP leader insisted that his party is in favour of a strong Lokpal and reminded government that “institution building is a challenging task.”
In an apparent reference to UPA ally, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamul Congress, which is also opposed to some provision of the bill, Mr Jaitley said “people are watching if they are only willing to proclaim or are they willing to strike.” He charged the government for “deliberately” bringing a bill that is “Constitutionally vulnerable.” “We are today attempting to create an integrity institution in India. Let us not subvert the institution even before it is formed... We must not provide for a pliable and weak Lokpal,” Mr Jaitley said. Earlier, the House was briefly adjourned when Opposition members demanded Prime Minister, who is also Leader of the House, to be present when the House takes up the bill.
Arguing against the provision on setting up of Lokayuktas in the state, Mr Jaitley said if passed, it would be “constitutional havoc” as with this provision Centre can “usurp powers of states,” thus tampering with the federal principle given by the Constitution.
The BJP is also opposed to reservation for minorities, inclusion of NGOs in the bill and keeping CBI out of the purview of the ombudsman.
“History has today provided us an opportunity to legislate a strong and effective legal mechanism for investigation and punishment of the corrupt...,” said the BJP leader. He made it clear that his party will not support the bill in the present form as his party is opposed to three “absurd and unworkable” provisions of the bill. On the CBI issue, Mr Jaitley said CBI should be under the purview of Lokpal with a directorate of prosecution.
Opposing inclusion of NGOs and trusts within the purview of Lokpal terming it “revenge provision,” the BJP leader said if passed without amendments, the Lokpal would create a system which would be intrusive in the private life.