New Delhi, Dec 30: The Lokpal Bill yet again failed to get Parliament's nod when Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday night abruptly amid high drama and Opposition accusing the the government of running away from a vote because it was in a minority.
The Trinamool Congress, a UPA constituent which had moved a slew of amendments and gave the government torrid time when it vowed to vote against the bill, called the adjournment an “orchestrated chaos”, almost echoing the Opposition view that it was “choreographed drama”.
The Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after failed moves in 43 years, appeared jinxed throughout the day when it seemed that the government was not able to muster a simple majority required for its passage.
The Bill seemed jinxed as there have been eight attempts earlier since 1968.
The problems of the ruling coalition, which has 93 members in a 243-member House, grew after one of its constituents Trinamool Congress (6) and outside supporters BSP (18), SP (6) and RJD (4) made it clear that they will vote against the Bill.
Trinamool Congress and parties like BJP and Left parties had moved amendments for deletion of Part III of the Bill related to appointment of Lokayukta in states.
The BJP and the Left also wanted the CBI to be part of Lokpal.
On a day marked by conspiracy theories in the corridors of Parliament, the government tried to persuade the allies and outside supporters to avoid a vote which looked it was sure to lose.
And when the time for voting came, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal suddenly came up with a request to the Chair for time to consider 187 amendments moved by the MPs.
Smelling a rat in the government strategy, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said the government was running away from the House because it was in a “hopeless minority”.
“A government which did not have the numbers in the House has consciously first choreographed a debate so that it cannot not be concluded before the 12 O' Clock,” he said.
Jaitley told Bansal that they will sit the whole night to transact the bill. He said the government has “no right to continue in office even for a minute”.
